4th New Varietal of 2010-Terret
This morning I took note that at least one of my New Year's resolutions is going well. I am well past my scheduled pace of one new varietal a month and today I will continue out pacing the calendar with the Blanc des Karantes. . . 100% Terret.
This Terret Blanc comes from one of my favorite producers, Chateau des Karantes. If you are new to this blog Chateau des Karantes is a vineyard located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France. It sits near the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees Mountains. The Chateau produces and eclectic array of varietals including Terret Blanc.
Terret Blanc is grown mostly in the Midi region of France andis used to make a white wine, often part of a blend. It is also known asTerret Monstre.http://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-1608-terret-blanc
The Blanc des Karantes is 100% Terret made from 80 year old vines. The vines are grown not in soil but in limestone and clay which gives the Terret a mineral quality on the taste. The grapes are harvested manually and then gently pressed. The juice ferments initially in stainless steel tanks and finishes in oak barrels. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks. The Blanc des Karantes carries an alcohol level of about 11.5%, so its an "easy drinker" good for seafood and salads.
The wine had a light golden color. On the nose I got lots of pineapple and vanilla. These scents followed through to the taste. Lots of pineapple, vanilla and hints of minerality or "wet rock". This was a very different tasting experience for me. I had never tasted anything like it. It is a well made wine, just not for my palate. On the other hand, my wife Jen did enjoy this wine and recommends it.
So what do you do? You go out and fine this wine. It has an interesting taste profile and is well made, and it may fit your tasting profile better than mine. Remember, what I like is not necessarily what you will like. . . just ask my wife! Go try new things! Expand your palate. This is a good wine to try because it comes in at the whopping price of $10.00. You can't beat that!
Besides, its worth a couple bucks just to look at the interesting label. . .
This Terret Blanc comes from one of my favorite producers, Chateau des Karantes. If you are new to this blog Chateau des Karantes is a vineyard located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France. It sits near the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees Mountains. The Chateau produces and eclectic array of varietals including Terret Blanc.
Terret Blanc is grown mostly in the Midi region of France andis used to make a white wine, often part of a blend. It is also known asTerret Monstre.http://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-1608-terret-blanc
The Blanc des Karantes is 100% Terret made from 80 year old vines. The vines are grown not in soil but in limestone and clay which gives the Terret a mineral quality on the taste. The grapes are harvested manually and then gently pressed. The juice ferments initially in stainless steel tanks and finishes in oak barrels. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks. The Blanc des Karantes carries an alcohol level of about 11.5%, so its an "easy drinker" good for seafood and salads.
The wine had a light golden color. On the nose I got lots of pineapple and vanilla. These scents followed through to the taste. Lots of pineapple, vanilla and hints of minerality or "wet rock". This was a very different tasting experience for me. I had never tasted anything like it. It is a well made wine, just not for my palate. On the other hand, my wife Jen did enjoy this wine and recommends it.
So what do you do? You go out and fine this wine. It has an interesting taste profile and is well made, and it may fit your tasting profile better than mine. Remember, what I like is not necessarily what you will like. . . just ask my wife! Go try new things! Expand your palate. This is a good wine to try because it comes in at the whopping price of $10.00. You can't beat that!
Besides, its worth a couple bucks just to look at the interesting label. . .
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