When thinking of wines and grapes, have you ever heard of Clairette? If so, have you ever tasted this unique varietal? Quite possibly you have not.
Clairette is one of the oldest grapes used for wine in France, going as far back as the mid-1500s. With its grapefruit, floral, and fennel characteristics this is one of the few white wine grapes that is sometimes used as a part of the blend in Chateauneuf du Pape wine. Clairette is used as a blending grape in the Chateauneuf du Pape region.
In the Languedoc and Rhone Valley areas you still find Clairette grapes. Many times these grapes are used to make fresh, sparkling wines and easy to drink still wines you find in that area.
Only Grenache has more vines planted. Currently, Clairette makes up almost 2.5% of the vineyards in Chateauneuf du Pape. You will also find this grape is grown in South Africa, Algeria, Russia, and Australia.
Clairette is also used to produce sparkling wine in South Africa and Australia. In France this is the only allowable grape used in the Clairette de Die appellation, which produces sparkling wine.
Clairette grows best in warm weather and limestone soil. Acquiesce Winery in Lodi grows this grape here as the conditions are perfect for the weather and soil. This is a grape that ripens early. These wines typically do not age as well as other white wines, so drink them in their youth. They love to be paired with cheese.
Tasting Clairette Blanche from Acquiesce Winery, we noticed the aromas mentioned. As for mouth feel, this was a fairly dense wine that was nicely dry. I enjoyed the mineral taste both in the middle and in the finish.
Drinking it with homemade chicken soup and biscuits loaded with Manchego cheese, I felt it was a perfect combination.
Check out more wine pairings and ideas at https://www.forkscorksandbrews.com/corks/