Olivier Coste Carignan Blanc Rare Vin de France 2022

Made from 100% Carignan Blanc, a rare Mediterranean variety of which there are only 250 hectares remaining, mostly in the Languedoc region. Carignan Blanc does not feature as the main variety in any of the major appellation laws, and is therefore labelled as Vin de France. This cuvee is produced from 70-year old vines that are cultivated in a two hectare plot by the sea in Castelnau-de-Guers. The cooling influence of the coastal breezes enhances the freshness of this naturally high acidity variety and balances the rich, concentrated flavours from this warm and sunny Mediterranean climate. The Gobelet vines are pruned according to the traditional Mediterranean bush method, which allows the shade from the leaves to protect the grapes from the sun. The old vines yield 60 hectolitres per hectare; the yields are not overly restricted in order to avoid heaviness and weight in the resulting wine. The vines are grown in limestone-rich soils, which contribute to the elegance of the cuvee and the grapes are harvested during the cool of the night, to retain freshness.