Chateau De La Gardine Chateauneuf du Pape White

This white Châteauneuf du Pape from the Château de La Gardine winery is truly unique. The red version is more famous than the white, but we deserve to pause for a moment to appreciate this superb white wine. The old vines are planted on very chalky soil and are located west of the estate. The soil and climate provide excellent minerality, making this white wine unique.

A lively southern French Chateauneuf

The Brunel family has been producing terroir-specific, high-quality wines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape for many years. They produce two types of white Châteauneuf: the Cuvée des Générations Marie-Léoncie, a full-bodied, ripe wine made from old Roussanne vines, and the Cuvée Tradition, a fresh, youthful expression of Châteauneuf du Pape. A lively wine with a southern French spiciness, fine minerality, and crisp acidity. This white Châteauneuf du Pape is made with four grape varieties, all hand-harvested under the supervision of the Brunel family: Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, and Bourboulenc. All grapes come from the vineyards on the west side of the château. To preserve maximum freshness, the harvest is early, usually in mid-September. After being harvested by hand, the grapes are carefully sorted. Then, 70 percent of them are pressed and fermented in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. The remaining grapes ferment in oak barrels, and finally, the wine is aged for another six months in oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation does not take place.

The sparkling freshness of De La Gardine Chateauneuf du Pape blanc

During the oak aging process, the wine is allowed to rest and acquire beautiful impressions of the oak barrels. The color is pale yellow with a swarm of green glints. The aroma reveals delicate and lively floral notes with subtle spicy accents of anise and fennel. The palate is round and aromatic, with a sparkling freshness. The oak aging remains discreet while delivering a powerful and rounded character.