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Wenlock Cellars

Château l’Ermite d’Auzan Blanc, AOP Costières de Nîmes [Organic & Biodynamic] 2024

Château l’Ermite d’Auzan Blanc, AOP Costières de Nîmes [Organic & Biodynamic] 2024

£13.50
£13.50
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Taxes included.

A really well-made, organic southern French white.

Production

The vineyard benefits from the exposure of Costières de Nîmes southern hillsides cascading down towards the Mediterranean, a location which provides optimal sunshine but benefits from freshening sea breezes. This cool marine wind drops summer temperatures from 35°C to 30°C favouring even ripening and water retention in the pebbly soil. This wine is produced from low-yielding 20 year old vines yielding 50hl/ha. Grapes are picked early to preserve fruit aromas. The winery is a member of Terra Vitis, a group dedicated to safeguarding the environment and using natural treatments wherever possible, and has now moved to full organic certification. Grapes are destemmed before being gently pressed. The must is cooled to 6ºC to facilitate natural clarification then fermented at 16º & kept on the fine lees for 3 months to develop and accentuate the flavours.

Tasting notes

The 2024 vintage now really expresses the incredible freshness that winemakers Tanguy and Jerome were seeking when they started to convert the estate to biodynamic viticulture. Mineral, saline and full of vibrant citrus acidity, there is real nerve and expression in this wine.

Food match

A lovely apéritif but also matches well with asparagus, grilled fish and chicken in a creamy sauce.


  • ABV

    12.5%

  • Case/Bottle Size

    6 x 75cl

  • Region/Country

    Rhône, France

  • Grape

    Roussanne 60%, Grenache Blanc 20%, Viognier 20%

  • Features

    Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable

  • Closure

    Screwcap

  • Winemaker

    Jérôme Castillon

  • Appellation

    AOP Costières de Nîmes

  • Allergen info

    Contains sulphites and no other allergens

    Château L'Ermite d'Auzan

    France

    www.lermitedauzan.com/en/

    Meet the Producer

    The original estate was founded in the 11th Century by the hermits of Sainte Cécile d’Estagel Abbaye and it made wine for pilgrims en route to Santiago de Compostella. The estate encompasses 80 hectares of sunny, south-facing vineyards planted on sandstone soils and benefitting from Mediterranean breezes that cool the vines in the summer.

    We have had a close relationship with characterful owner Jérôme Castillon, the 9th generation of the family to run the business and for the last few years, he has been joined by his son Tanguy, the 10th generation. He spent 3 years working in different vineyards across North America, South Africa and even spent time at Henners, Boutinot’s own estate in Sussex to gain experience of making sparkling wines. In particular Tanguy has been instrumental in bringing biodynamic practises to the estate and is particularly passionate about Phytotherapy, using the medicinal properties of certain plants and herbs to improve the health of the vines.

    [The estate's name changed from Château l'Ermitage to Château L'Ermite d'Auzan in 2020]

    A Note on Sustainability

    l’Ermite d’Auzan takes their commitment to the environment very seriously. They have been farming their 80 hectares using organic principles for some time gaining their certification in 2020, which they have followed with recognition from Demeter (in 2024) for their dedication to Biodynamics and permaculture.

    From maintaining animal diversity, to using biodynamic formulas to increase soil fertility, to growing herbal treatments and distilling essential oils to stimulate a vine's natural defences and preventing vine diseases, to using natural yeasts in their winemaking; l’Ermite d’Auzan are a truly innovative and constantly evolving estate, producing high quality wines through organic and biodynamic practices.


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