Marius Vermentino Terret

Named after his great grandfather, Michael Chapoutier offers “Marius” as an introduction to French wines. That is wines that are true to their Southern France origins, and are priced within everyone’s budget. So while most of us associate Vermentino with Italian wines, it is widely planted in Provence, the southern Rhône Valley, and the Languedoc. For “Marius,” the winery combines Vermentino with a dollop of Terret. Each is separately vinified, and then the blend is aged sur lies for 5 months. The wine is a pale straw color with a green tinge and its youthful aroma displays lime, stone fruit and floral notes. Medium bodied with a smooth, inviting texture, it had lots of citrus flavors with some minerality mixed in. Pleasant, dry finish. Hard to beat for the price!

Michel Chapoutier loves the Languedoc and believes in time it will divided a la Burgundy to best recognise its great sites. Marius, named after his grandfather, is great example how simplicity can be beguiling. The blend is a mix of terret and vermentino or rolle. The result is a stony, floral, yellow fruit aromas with bits of lemon. The palate is fresh boasting just enough acidity to make you think its origin may be further north. Shellfish, asparagus risotto, young hard cheese will all work here. Solid.