Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc

Description

Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is a bit of a rarity, a white wine from Chateauneuf du Pape. It is a blend of Clairette, Roussane and Grenache Blanc.

Domaine Chateau Fortia is one of the oldest wine estates in the Rhone Valley but its association with Baron Le Roy for which it is best known. In the early 20th century Chateau Fortia came under the direction of Baron Le Roy. Le Roy is best known at the co-founder of the the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine (INAO) who created the Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) system. The AOC system has gone on to be basis for not just French wine laws but many other appellation systems around the world. Chateau Fortia itself is a 30 hectare wine estate located to the south east of the Châteauneuf du Pape commune. The vineyards are planted with the red grape varieties Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre and the white varieties (mainly) of Clairette Blanc, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc.

The white grapes for the Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc are planted mostly in the north of the estate whilst the southern part of the estate, with the fabled galets roulés are given over to red grape varieties. The grapes for the white Châteauneuf du Pape are pressed soon after harvest and are fermented to dryness in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The wines are kept sur lie and do not undergo malolactic fermentation to ensure the wine maintains fresher aromas. After racking the wine is aged on its lees in small tanks with regular stirrings.

The blend for Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is Clairette 60%, Roussanne 30% and Grenache Blanc 10%.