G Gonnet CDR Reveur Blanc 22

Years ago, there was little or no interest in the White wines of the Rhône Valley. The intense summer heat baked the grapes into submission, and while this didn't particularly disturb the grapes destined for red wine, it made white wine production nearly impossible.

Fast forward thirty or so years to the introduction of cooler fermentation methods and modern refrigerated equipment and storage, and it's a totally different story. Today, white wines made in the Rhône Valley are packed with incredible aromatics, luscious flavors, and, in many cases, are even age-worthy.

With a couple of very rare exceptions, white Côtes du Rhône is always a blend. The typical blend is based from Grenache Blanc or Viogner and can also contain Roussane, Marsanne, Clairette and Bourboulenc, Picpoul and Ugni Blanc.

If you regularly read this newsletter, there's no doubt you're familiar with my friend Guillaume Gonnet's reds. He's famous for his Châteauneuf-du-Pape; however, he and his wife Kelly just happen also to have a number of other top properties throughout the Rhône Valley, perfect for both red and white wine.

Guillaume makes a delicious white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and during our last dinner with Guillaume at the shop, we were amazed to discover that his white Côtes du Rhône was remarkably similar -- at a fraction of the price!

The Côtes du Rhône Le Rêveur Blanc does indeed drink like a Baby Châteauneuf'. In your glass, you'll enjoy the aromas of stone fruits, peach, apricot, citrus, and floral notes, all leading to a lush rich palate of ripe peach with hints of almond and citrus. There's a perfect balance of acidity to this weighty, ripe fruit that keeps the palate squealy clean right through to the finish.

If you prefer your white wine with more body and richness -- think unoaked Chardonnay -- then a white Rhône is a wine for you!

Pair this with white meats, poultry, richer seafood preparations, and fresh cheeses. It will also do nicely with spicy Asian and Indian.