From: Minervois, France (classified as VdF)
Varietal: Muscat Petit Grain
Tasting Notes: Deep apricot orange color. Cheerful white peach, ripe summer fruits, Jasmine blossom and Mandarin orange zest balanced with gentle minerality and a whisper of tannins.
Pairing: A gourmet wine that will go perfectly as an aperitif or with your summer meal starters. Fried chicken, a range of aged hard cheeses, spicy seafood boils, noodle dishes with aromatic spices, Thai food and other Asian-inspired eats, or served alongside desserts with baked fruit, nuts and spices. This Spicy Minced Shrimp With Rice Noodles by David Tanis has just enough kick to compliment the rich fruit accents of this orange wine.
About: In 1999, La Livinière (meaning “place planted with vines”), located in the heart of the Minervois between Toulouse and Montpellier, became the first vineyard to receive recognition in the Languedoc region. Château Maris covers 45 hectares of land, divided into a multitude of plots on the hillside above La Livinière. It received Ecocert certification in 2002, then Biodyvin in 2004 and Demeter in 2008.
The terroir, with a very gentle slope and sun-drenched south-facing orientation, is made up of a mixture of schist, sandstone, quartz, marble and limestone that has been present for more than 50 million years.
The soil, composed of sand, clay and pebbles, forms terraces at altitude, which are ideal for wine growing. Nourished by the Mediterranean sun and with the cool wind from the Pyrenees sweeping across it, the vines enjoy a very special climate. The fig trees, broom, thyme, olive trees, oaks and pines on the land give the wines of Château Maris a unique character.
