Domaine de la Becassonne Cotes du Rhone Blanc

Domaine de la Becassonne is a small estate located near the village of Sorgue in the southern Rhone Valley’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape region that is solely dedicated to producing white wine. This is unusual as ninety percent of this vast region’s output is red wine. Planted in 1978, the first bottling of this delicious wine was produced in 1982. With a cool micro-climate and sandy, limestone soils this small property is ideal for producing fresh, expressive whites. Andre Brunel planted Becassonne with the best varietals of the appellation: Roussanne, Clairette Blanc and Grenache Blanc. The vineyards are pruned for low yields (around 40 hectolitres per hectare) and each varietal is harvested separately as they reach optimal ripeness. Fermentation is done in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to retain each varietals bright fruit characteristics. A blend of 55% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc and 15% Clairette, this wine is bottled in early March for freshness and vibrancy. Domaine de la Becassonne is always considered among the region’s finest white Cotes du Rhone.