Domaine Tariquet, Classic, Cotes de Gascogne

What a refreshing change!

This is a delightful wine, dry, fresh, crisp, pretty, charming and light - super light - and 100% typical of its region, untainted by modern fashions. Made from a blend reminiscent of Bordeaux white, but from outside the city in Gascony, it uses Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Gros Manseng, which gives gooseberry, blossom, floral notes, and tropical flavours respectively from each variety. Delightful as an aperitif, it is a mark of developing cuisines that this traditional wine pairs so well with local oysters, scallops and seafood as well as Asian cuisine - especially Sushi!

The Domaine Tariquet wines have been present in our reference for many years now, but often get overlooked for two reasons: firstly there is such a noise made about newer and more modern wines, be they from new regions or new wineries or new grapes... there is less noise made about the wines that do what they have always done, in a very fine manner indeed. This is one of those. No blazing trails, just excellent and consistent standards that often go unnoticed.

The second reason is that the Domaine Tariquet don't just make wine. They are one of the most highly regarded independent producers of very, very fine Armagnac. This possibly answers, in part, why they are not too pushed about lots and lots of wine sales! They are genuinely stunning and one day The Allotment hopes to bring you these incredible elixirs to take you to a very different place...

This wine though is absolutely as authentic an Atlantic-influenced French white should be. Enjoy it and think of crusty bread, butter and pâté while wondering what to cook for dinner.

And look at the alcohol level, only 10.5%!