Les Sorcières du Clos des Fées Blanc 2019, Le Clos des Fées. Côtes du Roussillon

The Sorcières’ white sibling is an expressive, aromatic ‘Mediterranean’ blend of Grenache blanc, Vermentino, Roussanne and Maccabeo. The perfect match for spicy ‘pulpo’ or grilled sardines.

In 1981, while in his early twenties, Hervé Bizeul was acclaimed the Best Young Sommelier in France. In 1998, after a spell in journalism, Hervé transferred his skills and attention to a small parcel of abandoned vines in a corner of the Roussillon that he felt had great potential.

Despite vinifying his first vintage at the back of a friend’s cellar, the domaine has gone from strength to strength and two decades later is revered throughout France.

Vermentino and Roussanne (prone to oxidation) are harvested in the early hours and transported in refridgerated trucks before whole-bunches are cold-fermented. The Grenache Blanc is harvested a little later and multiple passes are made to pick fruit at its optimum ripeness. and aged on lees in stainless steel for 8 months prior to bottling. Wild yeast ferments and the wine spends time on the fine lees before a light fining and spring bottling.