Chateau La Vernede Blanc 2018
Type: White
Country: France
Region: Languedoc
Grape Variety: Roussanne, Grenache Blanc
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Climate: Warm Mediterranean climate
Terroir: Roussanne from “Terre Rouge” is planted on the southwest slope of the hillsides overlooking the Aude plain. The soil is made up of red marl on a limestone slab. Grenache blanc was planted on the terroir of “La Garrigue de La Vernède”. It is the highest altitude plot of the Estate, the soil is clay-limestone and gravelly
Winemaking: The vineyard is entirely ploughed. The manure is exclusively of animal origin. Manual leaf stripping is practised to optimize the ripening of the bunches. Yields are controlled at 50 hl/ha for Grenache Blanc, 35 hl/ha for Roussanne, from winter pruning and then if necessary, by green harvest during July. Concerning vinification: only the first juices are retained for this vintage. The must is cold-settled at 6°C for 24 hours. Vinification takes place at low temperatures (16°C) for 12 to 15 days using direct pressing. The wine is aged in stainless steel vats on fine lees for 6 months
Color: Pale gold
Nose: The nose is complex with floral notes and exotic fruits (mango, ripe banana)
Palate: Oily and creamy on the palate yet with plenty of finesse
About the Winery:
Handed down from generation to generation for over 100 years, today the Château de La Vernède belongs to the Ribet family. Jean-Marc, who is in charge, is the great-great-grandson of Henri Calvet, himself a descendant of the first painter of King Louis XIV. Jean-Marc Ribet carries out his work at the heart of the estate with passion and pride. Over the last 20 years, significant efforts and investments have been devoted to the improvement of the quality of the wines, both in the winery and on the land.
The La Vernède vineyard alone covers more than 40% of the Coteaux du Languedoc AOP. The vineyard is planted on clay and limestone soils, between scrubland pinewoods, on the most exposed hillsides. The AOP grade varieties have been through a rigorous selection process: Syrah (Shiraz), Grenache noir, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan chosen for red wines; Grenache blanc and Roussane for the whites. Today, the vineyard is orientated towards organic farming, avoiding the use of chemical fertilisers, herbicides and synthetic pesticides.
