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Saturday, November 7, 2020

Richemer Terre & Mer Terret Blanc


Years ago we introduced Picpoul de Pinet to St. Louis.  At that time you did not see any around town.  Now it has become much more common and popular.  How about something new?   Terret Blanc - grape with similar qualities to Picpoul except it is a bit bigger and richer and less acidic.  Check it out, great freshness, great aperitif and great with fish and seafood.




Richemer Terre & Mer Terret Blanc...$12.99
"
Earth and Sea Dry"
The Mediterranean waterfront is mainly composed of tertiary sediments (sand and clay) and quaternary (gravel). The Mediterranean climate is influenced by the Etang de Thau which gives a specific moisture and freshness imperative for making the finest white wines.
Colour: Pale and shiny with green hues.
Nose: Fresh, light, floral and citrus fruit aromas.
Mouth: Lively attack. Delicately fragranced, followed by a good
length in the mouth.
Silver Medal at the Regional Cooperative Contest



Terret Blanc info from Wine-Searcher
Terret Blanc is a very old white wine grape variety native to the Languedoc, southern France. Along with its sibling Terret Gris, it was once widely used to make dry white wines and base wines for Vermouth (particularly when Piquepoul and Clairette grapes were in short supply). In the late 20th Century, Terret Blanc plantings dwindled in line with declining demand for both Vermouth and aromatically neutral wines.

Terret Blanc is just one of several mutations of Terret, which is one of southern France's oldest vine varieties. Terret is highly prone to mutation, and grape color can vary from vintage to vintage. Some vignerons have even reported single vines bearing blanc, gris and noir grapes simultaneously.

Terret Blanc, like Terret Gris, is extremely high yielding, and produces easily more than double the average yield of most vines. Its wines are light, fresh, dry and crisp, with subtle fruit and floral aromas.

The Minervois, Corbieres and Languedoc AOCs all permit the use of Terret Blanc in their white wines, in proportions varying from 10 to 30 percent. Classic southern French varieties such as Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Maccabeu (Macabeo), Marsanne and Roussanne typically make up the remainder of these wines. A small number of single-variety Terret Blanc wines are produced, typically classified as Vin de Pays or Vin de Table. Few (if any) producers grow Terret varieties outside southern France.

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