2021 Gérard Bertrand Gris Blanc, Languedoc, France (Alcohol 13%, Residual Sugar 2 /g/l) LCBO Vintages $15.95 (750ml bottle)
Although it’s a recent addition to the Ontario market. I’ve enjoyed this great accessible dry rosé in rather substantial quantities throughout the years when visiting Languedoc, indeed it was usually my beverage of choice at the Convenanza festival in Carcassonne.
When I say that this wine overdelivers, it certainly does. While it doesn’t have quite the same complexities and definition as Bertrand’s terrific Grenache/Cinsault/Syrah Côte des Roses Rosé, which comes in at $5 more, it’s a most enjoyable wine in its own right.
Produced solely from Grenache (Gris and Noir), this is a simpler (and much paler) wine for sure, but damn, this stuff is so pleasurable to knock back it is, quite frankly, astonishing. Dangerous stuff.
Crafted in a more reductive style, the nose is quite reserved but there are very attractive subtle nuances of soft warm berries, fennel, quince, and fine herbes. The palate is slightly lees-influenced, but bone-dry and savoury, with a deliciously seductive mineral/saline profile.
Surely welcome addition to any social gathering this summer, it was so lovely to taste (and write about) this wine after that simply ghastly Chilean rosé I tasted last week.
(Three and half apples out of a possible five)
Gérard Bertrand is represented in Ontario by Family Wine Merchants.
Family Wine Merchants are a Good Food Fighter.
Please support the businesses and organisations that support Good Food Revolution.
