Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marseilles, Bourboulenc

75cl * Organic * 13.0% ABV * Côtes du Rhône, France

Château Beauchene has been a favourite supplier of ours for years (Rupert and Fliss even had the Le Terroir CDR at their wedding) and the quality of its wines are second to none. The vineyard is positioned close to Orange and the infamous Châteauneuf du Pape enclave, so its Le Terroir is a virtual copy of the more expensive CNDP. That aside, the whole vineyard is certified organic and presided over by the Bernard family, who really know their stuff.

'There's a very attractive, fresh citrus fruit and floral aroma, leading to a peachy, pear-skin fruit palate; all of which is very pleasant. As is typical of this wine style and region, acidity is quite low and the alcohol shows through a little bit strongly on the finish, which possibly helps to dilute the fruit a touch. It's not a hugely intense wine, therefore, but a well-made, classically styled and typical example of Côtes du Rhône blanc. There's certainly some nice fruit complexity: it doesn't seem like a recently bottled wine, and there's a pleasant background complexity of nutty-flavoured older oak maturation. Certainly a good representative sample of Côtes du Rhône at a reasonable price point, given the provenance and producer.' Rob MacCulloch, MW

A sommelier’s favourite, white Côtes du Rhône wines are incredibly food friendly and are a terrific match for gnocchi, parsnip soup, spiced pork dishes, cod and other white fish... and when you are feeling like the full French experience - frogs legs! Serve at 7-12°C, i.e. just above fridge temperature.

USD : 11.55