Grape Variety: Clairette

Colour:

White

This variety is still prominent in the Rhone and Provence - indeed it is the grape that is used in the production of vermouth in the region as it gives high alcohol and resinous notes. Its low acidity means that it tends to require partners to give definition to its buxom fruit qualities. It is one of the many white grapes used to make the white wine at the excellent Languedoc vineyard - Mas de Daumas Gassac, and is often used in the blend to produce white Bandol - it features in the wine from Chateau de Pibarnon white along with Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Petit Manseng. This white is mellow and vinous and develops a wonderful freshness that delights the palate, accentuated with flavours of white flowers (jasmine, lime flowers and hawthorn) and fruits (such as pear and peach).

Clairette appears both in the Chateauneuf from Clos St.Michel and the Cotes du Ventoux Blanc l’Eclat from Domaine de Fondreche, where it is blended with Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc, giving wines that are stamped with resinous Mediterranean personality, showing lovely aromas of fennel, allspice and a surprising delicacy on the palate. It has also been planted in Morocco, see the Trois Domaines Blanc from Celliers du Meknes where Clairette is blended with Sauvignon and Ugni Blanc. Its most familiar incarnation is the sparkling appellation of Clairette de Die, partnered by the super-agreeable Muscat grape.