3 products
2023 Cicada Blanc by Chante Cigale
Regular price £12.99Cicada takes its name from the famed ‘singing cicadas’ of Provence and the wine too sings of the warm vineyards of the south.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Easy-drinking, unoaked and a classic french-style table wine. Citrus and pear aromas on the nose.
Palate
Citrus flesh and nice weight on the palate, quite a ripe, round finish.
Producer
Domaine Chante Cigale is located within the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and has been owned by the Sabon Favier family for several generations. Consisting of 41 hectares, the domaine benefits from old vines, some of which are veritably ancient at over 100 years old. Alexandre Favier took over from his father, Christian, and is part of a new wave of producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, combining modern technical expertise with time-honoured winemaking practices.
Alexandre is lauded by notable journalists including Steve Danzier and Jancis Robinson for his deftly-made and reasonably-priced wines. Domaine Chante Cigale has also built a reputation for specialising in white wines, of which they produce more than any other estate in the appellation.
Production
An unusual blend of Viognier (30%), Picpoul Blanc (30%) and Grenache Blanc (40%). Sourced from clay limestone soils in Richerenes in the Vaucluse for the Grenache Blanc and Picpoul, with the Viognier sourced in the Northern Rhône (so the wine is classified as Vin de France). Vinified in stainless steel, with a short maceration of one week. Alex Favier then puts the final blend together.
Sustainability
As you might expect from someone born and raised on an estate named after singing cicadas, Alexandre Favier keenly promotes the biodiversity of his vineyards. He is very conscious of his role as guardian of his land for future generations and Chante Cigale is currently in conversion to full organic status.
Alan's Tasting Notes
'This is a beautiful find. Loaded with aromas and flavours. Fresh, unoaked but unctous fresh fruit with a persistent and compelling palate. A great value alternative to more expensive Chateauneuf Blanc or Condrieu.'
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 30% Viognier, 30% Piquepoul Blanc, 40% Grenache Blanc |
| Country | Rhone France |
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| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches |
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| Origin | Vin de France |
| Appellation | Vin de France |
2023 Brotte Esprit Côtes du Rhône Blanc
Regular price £14.69This is a fabulous introduction to the white wine of the Rhone Valley. Made up predominantly of Grenache Blanc, picked early to capture aromas such as citrus fruits and exotic fruits. Viognier and Clairette bring their complexity with touches of peaches and white flowers. The wine has wonderful complexity with excellent freshness and length.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Pale yellow with green hints.
Nose
Aromas of exotic fruits, white flowers and citrus fruits.
Palate
Wonderful complexity with notes of peach and apricot, this wine displays excellent freshness and length.
Vinification
Direct light pressing if carried out with a new pneumatic press. Cold settling takes place overnight at 10°C. Alcoholic fermentation is in stainless steel tanks at a low temperature between 16 – 18°C. No malolactic fermentation is allowed to preserve the freshness. Maturation is on the fine lees with regular stirring in stainless steel vats for 6 months. Bottling is in March/April of the year following the harvest.
History
Since 1880, five generations of the Brotte family have been making wines with passion and authenticity. The fruit for this wine comes from selected small wine producers in the Rhône Valley, all of whom have been partners of Maison Brotte for several decades. The vines are planted on a very beautiful clay-silt terroir and which benefit from a lot of sunshine. The hot and dry climate therefore favours the ripening of the grapes and the good health of the vineyard.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Clairette |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol Content | 13.5% alc vol |
| Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Food Matches |
Serve as an aperitif or enjoy with barbecued shellfish, seafood and citrus fruits salad, chicken dishes, sweetbreads with morilles or alongside desserts of candied fruits, vanilla millefeuille or apricot pie |
| Origin |
Southern Rhône |
2023 Brotte Baies Dorees Viognier
Regular price £12.99Only 7 miles along the road from Châteauneuf-du-Pape but not as well known globally so represents much better value!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Clear yellow wine with green tinges.
Nose
The bouquet offers a unique aromatic range including citrus flowers, exotic fruits, apricots, white-fleshed stone fruit and jasmine.
Palate
Intensely fruity and well balanced this wine is mouth-filling which works in harmony with the flavours of exotic fruit and toasted brioche.
Location
The majority of the grapes come from the Gard department, particularly the commune of Laudun on the right bank of the river Rhône.
Terrior
“Baies Dorées” (golden berries): A tribute to the Viognier grape variety. The berries of this grape variety, native to the Rhône region, turn amber and golden when ripe. We have selected vines planted on a gorgeous silty-clay terroir which receives a great deal of sunshine. The hot, dry climate helps the grapes to ripen well and also helps to maintain the vineyards in good health
Vinification
Gentle pneumatic pressing. Strict cold settling at 10°C for 48 hours before alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks for 15 days at temperatures of 18° to 20°C. No malolactic fermentation to preserve the freshness and primary fruit aromas. Maturation in stainless steel vats for 3 months.
History
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Viognier |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol Content | 12.5% alc vol |
| Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Food Matches | Serve as an aperitif or enjoy with toasted goat’s cheese, carpaccio of tuna, white asparagus with hollandaise sauce, brandade de morue, fillet of sole in lemon butter, chicken and green olive ragout, a cheese platter. |
| Origin |
Southern Rhône |
