Renowned for its exceptional value for money (included recently in the famous Wall Street Journal), La Vieille Ferme Blanc is the archetype of Rhône whites. Fruity, crisp and soft with great body. A wonderful “enjoyment” wine!
Presentation
Presentation
If you enjoy quaffable wines, this one is ideal as an aperitif or paired with a simple meal
The vintage
The 2011 vintage is a vintage of contrasts. That is to say an unusually hot, dry spring followed by a wet and rainy beginning of July and then an Indian summer lasting until the end of October. Carefully sorting and destemming the harvest allowed for a great vintage, particularly for the late harvest varieties.
Location
Mainly within the Parc Regional du Luberon, which is equidistant from Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Manosque.
The average altitude of the vineyards is 300 metres/1000 feet above sea-level, and the grapes are harvested relatively late.
The average altitude of the vineyards is 300 metres/1000 feet above sea-level, and the grapes are harvested relatively late.
Terroir
Old alluvial deposits of round and flat stones, calcareous marl and patches of clay created by alluvial alpine flows.
Ageing
The grapes are lightly crushed, then pressed in a pneumatic press, prior to clarification of the must and cool fermentation.
This takes place in vats for 90% of the blend, with 10% fermented in new oak barrels with lees-stirring.
This takes place in vats for 90% of the blend, with 10% fermented in new oak barrels with lees-stirring.
Varietals
Bourboulenc
Grenache blanc
Ugni blanc
Vermentino
Grenache blanc
Ugni blanc
Vermentino
Advice
Serving
8°C with a starter or a cold buffet
Tasting
Colour: bright yellow with tints of green.
Nose: green fruit, wheat, hazelnuts.
Mouth: soft, delicate, aromatic
Nose: green fruit, wheat, hazelnuts.
Mouth: soft, delicate, aromatic
Recipes
Rabbit and Fresh Goat's Cheese Ravioli
Reviews
"La Vieille Ferme 2010, Luberon, France. A fascinating blend of Southern French white grapes that gives a honeysuckle and herbal effect which goes wonderfully with food."
"Bright and Crunchy, with tasty lime and kiwitfruit notes, followed by a tanguy green fig edge on the finish. This white shows good regional typicity. Drink now."
"Perhaps the most appealing La Vieille Ferme Blanc bottling we've yet tasted, showing clean, medium color and offering pretty white peach, lanolin and mineral flavors and aromas. Full bodied, with good cut and length, this pairs well with a variety of chicken and seafood dishes."
"Superb Grenache Blanc aroma of stone fruit, peach and subtle spice ; fresh and crisp, with a handsome finish that's just a tad astringent, so works well with seafood. Often discounted. A great value !"
"Round and fruity in style, this is an appealing, full bodied blend with pear, lemon peel, apple, and roasted nut aromas/flavors. Fine value."
"Basically, this is an under $10 wine in both white and red that is exceptionally well made and the ideal introduction to the viticulture of southern France"
"The 2011 La Vieille Ferme white comes from the Côtes du Luberon and is an interesting blend of Vermentino, Ugni Blanc and Grenache Blanc, completely naked, fresh and light to medium-bodied, with crisp grapefruit and citrus notes, as pure as a high alpine water source. It is meant to be drunk in its first 12 months of release while waiting for the next vintage, so don't make the mistake of aging this wine. "
"The wines from the “old farm” have long been summertime favourites hereabouts. I don’t understand why they’re still specialty listings after all these years. This one is a blend of Ugni Blanc and Vermentino. It’s soft and peachy, well balanced, and a fine fish wine. And a steal."
"Floral, quince, pear, lemon oil, baked green apple, ginger and slate aromas. Fresh, round, juicy off-dry palate with a creamy texture and similar flavours. Well-balanced, easy drinking style with some complexity. Solid value here." [+]
"From the Perrin family, producers of the famed Château de Beaucastel from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This white wine hails from nearby vineyards featuring important differences according to Pierre Perrin.
“The Luberon vineyards' higher altitude gives the fruit added freshness,” he notes. “We're not trying to make another Côtes du Rhône white.”
Unlike classic Côtes du Rhône whites, this terrific, little wine uses grenache blanc for depth and body, ugni blanc for freshness, vermentino for flavor, and a splash of bourboulenc.
Fermentation primarily in neutral vats captures aromatic complexity and freshness. Yet, fermentation of 10 percent of the wine in oak barrels with stirring of the lees — spent yeast cells — adds creaminess and subtle spiciness.
The wine offers fresh peach, grapefruit and light, floral aromas. Mouth-filling apricot and citrus flavors balance with fresh acidity. The full, fruity flavors carry through the dry finish. Pair it with classic pissaladière, thin-crust pizza topped with crushed tomatoes, black and green olives, capers, chopped onions and anchovies. Highly recommended." [+]
“The Luberon vineyards' higher altitude gives the fruit added freshness,” he notes. “We're not trying to make another Côtes du Rhône white.”
Unlike classic Côtes du Rhône whites, this terrific, little wine uses grenache blanc for depth and body, ugni blanc for freshness, vermentino for flavor, and a splash of bourboulenc.
Fermentation primarily in neutral vats captures aromatic complexity and freshness. Yet, fermentation of 10 percent of the wine in oak barrels with stirring of the lees — spent yeast cells — adds creaminess and subtle spiciness.
The wine offers fresh peach, grapefruit and light, floral aromas. Mouth-filling apricot and citrus flavors balance with fresh acidity. The full, fruity flavors carry through the dry finish. Pair it with classic pissaladière, thin-crust pizza topped with crushed tomatoes, black and green olives, capers, chopped onions and anchovies. Highly recommended." [+]
"Fresh, smooth and spicy with lush texture and ripe, aromatic flavors; clean, long and balanced with style and good length."
"Elegantly flavored, full bodied and crisp: a wine with peach, lemon peel, honey and roasted nut aromas/flavors and a crisp, persistent finish. Exceptional value."
"Lively marzipan nose. A touch of fermentation and citrus. OK but not really earthy enough for me."
