Isle Saint Pierre
IGP Mediteranée, France
2021
$12/glassThis southern French white blend is a must-try for this warm weekend. Clocking in at 12.5% ABV with tart citrus fruit and a salty mineral backbone, it will be like you are traversing the ancient streets of the Mediterranean but at a Chicago street festival!
Domaine Isle Saint Pierre, founded in 1927 by Parisian wine merchant Pierre Chassaing, is located on a small island in the Rhône River, 25km south of Arles and 15km from the Mediterranean in the Camargue region. The vineyard benefits from a coastal climate and sedimentary soils of sand and silt, which provide a cooling influence ideal for grape cultivation. Replanted in 1972 with noble vines grafted onto American rootstock, the vineyard thrives with varietals like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, and Muscat. Collaboration with France’s Agronomic Research Institute allows the estate to experiment with new vine plants. Currently managed by fourth-generation vigneron Julien Henry, Domaine Isle Saint Pierre is dedicated to sustainable viticulture, earning the Vignerons Développement Durable certification in 2018. The vineyard's proximity ensures that grapes reach the cellar within 10 minutes of being picked, preventing oxidation and preserving freshness. The 2021 white blend, consisting of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 8% Vermentino, and 2% Muscat, is noted for its freshness and aromatic appeal. Only the first juice from immediate pressing is used, and the wine ferments and ages in tanks. This meticulous process results in a wine with a floral nose and fresh flavors of peach, pear, and lychee. This one is a bit too easy to drink, so watch out!
|
