Lot White Wines for Autumn - The Local Buzz The Local Buzz

Lot White Wines for Autumn

John Gilchrist is a former UK Sommelier of the Year and winner of the Mondavi award for the best wine list in the world. A seeker of unknown wine gems, he now runs Les Caulins, a gîte and cookery school in SW France, with his wife (and chef) Emma. They have won many awards including the 50 best destination restaurants in the UK and Wine Pub of the Year.

Emma and John Gilchrist

Lot White Wines for Autumn

Although it’s nearly game season we still have beautiful fresh fruit, salads and flat fish, especially Halibut (Flétan) and Turbot which are at their best. The much anticipated scallop season is about to start so I’m not ready to give up on white wines just yet. I look for bigger body and texture, round, soft fruit, less acidity, a little punchier and maybe aromatic.

Well worth seeking out in the southern Lot is the young vigneron, Fabien Jouves, at Mas del Périé in Trespoux-Rassiels. Both traditional and modern natural wines are crafted here including a beaut of a 100% Chenin Blanc Orange Voilée (veiled orange). Aged for one year on grape pomace in 800L amphora’s (which is how wine was first produced and is now very trendy) it has a nose of apple blossom and yellow pears with heady melon and the sweetness and acidity of lemon cured. Perfect with fish.

Overlooking the Lot River in the commune of Albas is Didier Pelvillain and the beautiful Inspiration blanc sec made with Gros Mensang. A juicy, well balanced wine perfect with early season game birds and figs or pears with blue cheese. Aromas of tropical and candied fruit, with a delicious quince, peach and honeyed palate and finished with the merest zing of lime.

In the Eastern Lot is Domaine Cause who produce Mariandine 100% Viognier, the perfect white to take you into winter with scallops and shellfish. The mouth feel is stunning; the juiciness of mango, perfumed honeysuckle and a tangerine acidity, with lasting flavours of roasted nuts, vanilla and ripe pineapple.

First published in the September/October 2019 issue of The Local Buzz

Images: Vinobles Pelvillain