Ournac Frères Carignan Blanc | Languedoc, France

£13.40

Carignan Blanc is a rare old grape, indigenous to the south of France. This variety is harvested late at the end of September; it produces large berries and has a low alcohol level (11-13°).

The parcel of 60 year old vines owes its existence to having been given as a wedding present, otherwise it would have been replanted with a more modern varietal.

This is a low intervention wine of limited production. Harvested by hand, the grapes are vinified using wild yeasts, fermented and aged in demi-muid (600L oak barrels) for 8 months.

Labels of the Ournac Frères range feature graphics of the political newspapers of 1900 where their great-great-grandfather and his brother, though wine merchants, also exercised their talents as caricaturists. This one by Henry - “En-ry” - has an uncertain background: it could be a sarcastic cartoon against a politician renamed ‘Mélasse 1ère Qualité’, meaning ‘Molasses 1st Quality’, or if it was to underline a wine merchant scandal with molasses (sugar syrup) added to increase the alcohol!

Carignan Blanc is a rare old grape, indigenous to the south of France. This variety is harvested late at the end of September; it produces large berries and has a low alcohol level (11-13°).

The parcel of 60 year old vines owes its existence to having been given as a wedding present, otherwise it would have been replanted with a more modern varietal.

This is a low intervention wine of limited production. Harvested by hand, the grapes are vinified using wild yeasts, fermented and aged in demi-muid (600L oak barrels) for 8 months.

Labels of the Ournac Frères range feature graphics of the political newspapers of 1900 where their great-great-grandfather and his brother, though wine merchants, also exercised their talents as caricaturists. This one by Henry - “En-ry” - has an uncertain background: it could be a sarcastic cartoon against a politician renamed ‘Mélasse 1ère Qualité’, meaning ‘Molasses 1st Quality’, or if it was to underline a wine merchant scandal with molasses (sugar syrup) added to increase the alcohol!

Languedoc, France

Grapes: Carignan Blanc

Tasting Notes: A light golden colour. The nose is highlighted by floral aromas of white flowers and stone fruits. A lively and layered palate of apricots and soft tropical fruit brings roundness with a nice creamy richness, completed by citrus notes (lemon zest, kumquat). The very dry finish makes for a thirst-quenching wine.

ABV: 12.5%

Vintage: 2023

Ageing potential:

Attributes: Vegan. low intervention - wild yeasts, limited 3000 bottles,

Closure: cork

Farming: bio-technical insect control, organic fertilisers

Sustainability info: labels are printed on recycled paper

Winemaker: Camille Ournac

Winery link

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