Grape Variety: Petit Courbu

Colour: White

A native of the Basque country where it features in the whites of Irouleguy and Txacoli, Petit Courbu is also an important constituent of blends in Cotes de Saint Mont Blanc, Pacherenc and Jurancon. The “Vignes Retrouvees” from Plaimont, for example, contains Gros Manseng, Arrufiac and Courbu; the wine as fresh as an iced buzzsaw on the palate with a pithy style reminiscent of crunchy celery, The two Irouleguys from Cave de Pays Basque are both electrifying, tense with acidity and displaying fine citrus character, with wild flowers, gunflint and crystallised lemons. The Xuri d’Ansa spends longer in oak, is round in the mouth with vanillin hints. The herbal quality of the Courbu manifests itself in the Hegoxuri from Domaine Arrextea and adds an extra layer of interest to the two Mansengs.