Bright, complex, fresh and impossibly attractive, this is a wine that has taken the Ramé family an extremely long time to perfect; many trials, lots of procrastination and much perseverance - minerality, citrus notes, blossom and pear flavours lead to a delightful, crisp and long finish.
This is one of the top white wines made by the Ramé family, this is a real treat for anyone interested in good French white, interesting grape varieties, excellent wine making and the wines of Maison Ventenac broadly speaking!
A Swiss grape variety made in Italian terracotta amphorae in the south of France - hence the name...
It is made without any sulphur and is about as 'natural' as you can get, yet it is vibrant, tense and has not even a glimmer or glint of secondary fermentation, funkiness or cider.
Maison Ventenac is a young and dynamic project based in the vineyards of the Ramé family in Cabardès, north of the city of Carcassonne, at the (fairly wild) west of the Languedoc. Characterised by the split in place between Atlantic and Mediterranean bodies of water, their vineyards are likewise split between the Atlantic (Cabernets, Merlot and Malbec) and the Mediterranean (Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvedre). Limestone forms the sub-soil in the best parts of the family's vineyards, together with their dense planting of vines and the relatively wet winters in the region, there is a real sense of excitement for the future of the region.
In organic conversion, the rewards for this winery are only beginning to be seen. What we really like about them though is their honesty - they love all that they do, but what they like most is Cabernet Franc - certainly not a Mediterranean grape and the third grape of the Atlantic, this variety seems to really blossom in the hands of the Ramé family. Vermentino from Italy? Well, if it works in their vineyards, why not!
This sense of discovery, as seen in planting non-Mediterranean varieties place in their vineyards, is at the heart of what they appear to do, but if doesn't detract from their respect to terroir, to the non-use of chemical sprays, to admitting their own prejudices - it's clearly a key part of their success.
Region: Languedoc
Country: France
Grape(s): Arvine
Style: Vibrant, Pure, Perfumed, Organic, Natural, Mineral, Medium-Light, Intense, Herbaceous, Fruity, Fresh, Elegant, Dry, Crunchy, Crisp, Complex, Bright, Balanced
Best food matches: Warm Salads, Tuna, Trout, Tapas, Sushi, St Stephen's Day, Squid, Soft Cheeses, Shellfish, Seafood, Scallops, Salads, Poultry, Oysters, Mature Cheeses, Lobster, Lamb, Hard Cheeses, Goat's Cheese, Game, Fine Dining, Cheeses, Charcuterie, Asparagus, Aperitif
Alcohol: 12%