2020 CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC, Famille Perrin. Rhône (Half bottle)

UK agents Liberty wines tell us that the vines for this wine come from the “clay-limestone soils of Cairanne and Jonquières, situated between the rivers of Ouvèze and Aigues, giving the wine a mineral freshness.”

40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Viognier, 20% Marsanne, 10% Roussanne.

The Perrins are the much-esteemed owners of the great ‘Beaucastel’ in Chateauneuf du Pape, but also major producers of other wines in surrounding areas, always done to an immaculate and impressive level of quality.

The general feeling is that the southern Rhône is too hot to make whites of elegance and freshness, but this is one of many recent examples that disproves the theory. It’s a light and aromatic style, reminiscent of more northerly climes.