Our white wines
We strive to produce balanced and fresh white wines that let their terroir express itself.
Soon to be white Gigondas?
The Gigondas appellation does not (yet) exist for white wines, but in our parcels on the slopes of Romane, we have old Clairette vines that were planted in 1955. Our Côtes du Rhône Domaine Grand Romane, made from these vines, comes from our Gigondas terroirs, without having the appellation. It is therefore an exceptional wine because there is little white wine produced on these terroirs, but also because it is 100% made from Clairette grape variety. This white Côtes du Rhône is balanced in terms of complexity and freshness. Fine aromas of white flesh fruits (pear, apple) and white flowers (acacia…), an astonishing finish: it will delight you, as an aperitif, with fish and even with a beautiful cheese platter!
To return to the Gigondas appellation, the appellation union is currently working on the creation of specifications so that this Rhone Valley Cru can also produce white wines. But this is a long-term task, carried out with the INAO, the National Institute of Origin and Quality, which will examine the case. So we don’t know yet if and when our Côtes du Rhône will become a Gigondas!
White Cairanne
Cairanne has been a Côtes du Rhône Cru since the 2015 vintage. But it is especially known for its red wines since only 4% of white wines are produced there. They are generally produced from white grenache (50%), clairette (25%), marsanne, roussanne, bourboulenc and viognier.
Several terroirs are found in the village. To the north, the slopes of the southern slope of the “Montagne”, mixing white clay and limestone, which collapses towards the south on a stony terrace, territory between the Aigues and the Ouvèze rivers, called the “Plan de Dieu”.
To the south and west, the “Garrigues” formed by red clays, which adjoin the terraces of Aygues, formed by alluvium of the alpine diluvium. To the northwest of the commune, the “Hautes-Rives” and “les Bayes” are composed of siliceous soil.
White Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Like the Cairanne appellation, Châteauneuf du Pape has a much lower production of white wines than red wines, accounting for only 7%. But its fame is much more important. Known for its 13 grape varieties, this Cru has 6 white grape varieties: Grenache blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Picpoul and Picardan. Grenache blanc, a mutation of Grenache noir, is the most commonly used grape variety. Not very acidic, it provides structure and length in the mouth alongside the more floral Clairette and Bourboulenc, and the more lively Picpoul.
