Cave Réal - IGP Urfé - Viognier Aldebertus - White - 2023

Wine:

A classic expression of Viognier, with mineral notes that reflect its volcanic terroir, the 2023 White IGP d’Urfé Aldebertus is fresh, pure, and beautifully ripe, offering aromas of peach skin and apricot. This unadulterated purity carries through on the palate with a broad, graceful, and smooth texture, balanced by a delicate, zesty acidity that enhances its appeal. Serve it around 10°C to enjoy its airy, digestible profile, perfect for pairing with goat cheese toasts or a simple river fish like trout or perch. Rated 94/100 by our Committee, and a true favorite.

Vinification:

Slightly over-ripe hand harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts, aged on lees.

Color:

Bright gold.

Nose:

A beautifully pure Viognier nose with mineral notes mingling with peach skin and apricot flavors.

Palate:

Ample and graceful, this wine is well-balanced, digestible and suave, with a delicate acidic edge that makes it appetizing.

Temperature:

Serve between 10 and 12°C.

Food and wine pairing:

A wine that's at home as an aperitif with goat cheese toast (ideally Rigottes), and with noble fish: fillet of féra or char, or river trout simply meunière.

Cellar aging:

From now until 2028

Cave Réal is a hidden gem, nestled in the Côtes du Forez, just outside Saint-Etienne. For the past 10 years, Stéphane Réal has been crafting a stunning Viognier that rivals the finest whites from Condrieu.

We’re thrilled to spotlight this cuvée, which astonished our Committee at the time and broke all the rules: a humble Vin de Pays that outshines many Condrieu Viogniers, without oak or fanfare!

Grown on volcanic soils perched at 500 meters, once a haven for Benedictine monks, this terroir offers a unique expression of the grape. On these steep slopes of the Massif Central, marked by granite and basalt, the year-round winds ensure perfect grape ripeness and the creation of vibrant, fruit-forward wines.