Château des Alouettes - white- 2009

AOC Costières de Nîmes

The chateau is part of the village of Générac, about a dozen kilometres from Nîmes, and owes its name (“alouette” means lark) to the shooting parties held in its game-rich vineyards in the early 20th century. This property of over 20ha has been in the Larguier family for several generations.

Terroir: The soils are highly typical of the appellation with large smooth stones from alluvial deposits from the Rhone and Durance rivers on a clay-limestone subsoil.

Grape varieties: The varieties are typical of the appellation: 60% grenache blanc, 20% marsanne and 20% roussanne.

Vinification: The grapes are harvested when perfectly ripe then destemmed and cold-macerated for the time required to achieve the depth of colour wanted. After pressing adapted to the different types of grape, followed by settling, the must is fermented at controlled temperatures to enhance the expression of the fruit.

Maturing: When alcoholic fermentation is complete, the wines are racked twice and blended. Then they are left to mature in refrigerated vats for 4 months before bottling.

Tasting notes: The wine is a light yellow and gains great elegance from its fragrance of citrus fruit (grapefruit) and white flowers. It is nicely lively on the palate where it will open up and go wonderfully with seafood.

Ageing potential: To be enjoyed within 2 years of bottling.

Recommended serving temperature: Serve at around 10°c.

Accompaniment advice: Enjoy with shellfish, crustaceans and grilled fish.