Domaine du Tariquet

A 2,000-year heritage in the art of the vine plus the expertise of 1,200 local wine producers - a combination like that is hard to come by and makes Côtes de Gascogne a leader of wines in Southwest France. Dry, crisp, refreshing and aromatic, Côtes de Gascogne is one of France’s most widely exported white wines. A designated wine-producing zone in the Armagnac region, the picturesque countryside is marked by textured green vistas, medieval towns, sunny skies and far-off views of the Pyrenees Mountains. With its rich agriculture and rolling hills, this area is often called the Tuscany of France. One hundred years ago, the Grassa family recognized that the cool microclimate and varied terroirs of Gascogne could produce quality grapes capable of making unique wines. It purchased the first 7 hectares of the estate in 1912 for Armagnac production. Then in 1982, third generation winemaker and father to Tariquet’s current winemakers Remy and Armin, Yves Grassa made the bold decision to expand its focus to quality wine production. Building its reputation on untraditional blends, the winery is also known for its serious commitment to sustainability, from vineyard management even down to the wine packaging. It uses organic manure and water waste recycling and has reduced pesticide treatments by 40%. Tariquet uses less sulfites in its winemaking process along with partially demineralized water with a lowered pH level to dilute active ingredients. All glass bottles, aluminum caps, paper labels and cardboard packaging are 100% recyclable. The estate’s vines grow in clay-limestone soils and boulbene topsoil with ochre-colored sand known as sables fauves. Grown, produced and bottled by Domaine du Tariquet, this blend of local grape varieties - Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng - offers aromatic notes of citrus and exotic fruits. Meeting the standards for Vin de Pays classification, it is superbly intense for a dry and fruity white. Its bouquet reveals floral and citrus aromas with melodic touches of tropical fruit. Light and well-balanced, this wine is an alluring, thirst-quenching pleasure.