Côté

The wine

Domaine du Tariquet, run by the Grassa family in Gascony since 1912, was first known for its Armagnac before becoming a pioneer of fresh, aromatic white wines in the 1980s. Côté is a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in near-equal parts: the Sauvignon brings freshness and citrus, the Chardonnay roundness and fruit.

In the glass

The nose opens with pink grapefruit, lime and passionfruit, followed by white peach, pear and white flowers, with a subtle flinty note and a hint of brioche. The palate is fresh and lively, with a creamy texture from ageing on its lees.

At the table

Lovely with seafood such as grilled fish, oysters or prawns, and with creamy dishes like chicken in a mushroom sauce. It also suits goat's cheese, sushi and lightly spiced dishes. Ask our team for a match from the current menu.

Where it comes from

The Côtes de Gascogne, in south-west France, is a land of rolling hills historically famous for Armagnac. Influenced by both the Atlantic and the Pyrenees, it enjoys warm days and cool nights, which give whites with bright aromas and crisp acidity.

The vintage and the winemaking

2020 was warm and dry, leading to an early harvest, while cool nights preserved freshness. The grapes are picked at night, briefly macerated on their skins, gently pressed and fermented at low temperature in stainless steel, then aged on fine lees with regular stirring.

Appellation

IGP Côtes de Gascogne. This protected designation guarantees the wine's origin and allows blends such as Chardonnay with Sauvignon Blanc.