Medium straw color; citrus, pear, white flowers, chamomile on the nose; green apple, pear, peach, melon, lemon-lime on the palate.
Dry; fresh, crisp, soft in the mouth. Rich medium body. Zesty acidity with some minerality. Delivers some complexity, especially for a wine at this price point. Fun, easy drinker. No noticeable oak, primarily finished in stainless steel but 10% saw time in barriques, a common practice with grenache blanc, one of the wines in this white blend. 13% ABV
Blend of bourboulenc, grenache blanc, vermentino, ugni blanc (trebbiano). Bourboulenc is white blending grape used mostly in the southern Rhône, especially in production of Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc. It also is planted in the Languedoc, Provence, and Minervois appellations. It is closely related to clairette. Grenache blanc—a color mutation of grenache—delivers the rich body in this wine and adds significant range to potential food pairings.
The Perrin family owns the famed Château de Beaucastel in Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône. The château is the base of their operation, which produces a number of brands. Jean Pierre Perrin established La Vielle Ferme in Luberon, a massif in central Provence, in 1967. The winery is east of the commune of Orange and north of Avignon.
Perrin originally sold this wine by mail as a straightforward, inexpensive wine in France. When he introduced the wine in the United States in 1970, it quickly became a success thanks to its quality and affordability. That remains its leading attraction today.
From the Famille Perrin website: “It is no coincidence Famille Perrin is the leading organic wine grower of the Southern Rhône Valley where they occupy the regions best terroirs. Their values have given them a worldwide reputation for excellence: absolute respect for the soil, a commitment to manual methods and a deep belief that organic viticulture is the only way to express the true essence of the terroir. Moreover the combination of talents within the family ensures the continuation of their unique expertise. Nature and tradition are key to the Famille Perrin way and this approach has continued seamlessly over five generations.”
Famille Perrin La Vieille Ferme White 2019 is a substantial white blend at a marvelous price. Delicious tree fruit and citrus flavors make it tasty and versatile. Rich and smooth in the mouth with substantial body for a white. All around winner wine. Ideal as aperitif; pair with simple meals; chicken; sea bass; tempura shrimp; lobster; lamb; pork; lighter red meats; cured meats; charcuterie board; soft, creamy cheeses—brie, camembert, crème fraîche; medium, nutty cheeses—swiss, emmentaler, comté, jarlsberg, gruyère. $7-10
Famille Perrin La Vieille Ferme website
