Country: France Region: Armagnac Grape: Colombard
Côtes de Gascogne is a winemaking zone located in the Armagnac region of Southwest France, mostly in the Gers Department. Gascogne (Gascony) is often referred to as the Tuscany of France owing to its rich agriculture and undulating hills. Inspired by the fanciful tales of Pierre Renard and his father, Pierre et Papa is a compact range of high quality, well-balanced wines made from grapes sourced throughout Southern France. The packaging provides for a nostalgic feel influenced by old French advertising ephemera. Lengthy skin maceration (where the ripe healthy berries soak in the cold) is one key to obtaining fruitier wines with a more pronounced profile. This Blanc prospers from that process. Another beneficial factor is that the Colombard for this wine is handled by a Kiwi winemaker. Lots of citrus and tropical fruits (with guava and minerals in the nose) provide the personality for this golden-green wine. The palate is crisp and lively with an abundance of tangy citrus and tropical fruit.
Don’t wait to enjoy this bottle of Blanc. Serve chilled (about 45°F) as an aperitif or with oysters, grilled fish, sauteéd chicken breast or your favorite pasta dishes made with cream sauces.
COLOMBARD GRAPES— Not widely known, yet very much appreciated by those who experience it, the Colombard grape is farmed mainly in Gascony and throughout southwestern France, including the Gers region. It is also notably popular in California, where it was once known as French Colombard. This white grape is all about fruitiness and citrus tang.
