Terrane Sauvignon is a wonderful example of the variety, it expresses the Gaillac terroir perfectly. The nose is open and shows delicate pear, gooseberry and white flower. Matured on its fine lees for 6 months, the palate is ample, rich and extremely fresh with hints of passion fruit and smokiness. On the lighter side alcohol-wise which makes it a good lunch, terrace, early evening or indeed wedding option.
CAVE DE LABASTIDE DE LEVIS, Gaillac
Located in the heart of the Gaillac vineyards, the Cave de Labastide was founded in 1949. Today it is the oldest cellar of the Gaillac appellation. It is made up of about a hundred cooperative winegrowers with an area of around 1,000 hectares of vines.
Situated on the banks of the river Tarn the vineyards spread across the various terroirs of the Gaillac region, from gravelly clay to chalk and limestone, and are affected by the climates of both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The mildness of the Atlantic influence reduces the risk of frost and provides much needed moisture to the vines, while the Mediterranean influence provides the generous warmth that ensures ripeness and phenolic maturity in the grapes.
Local natives like mauzac, the wonderfully named loin de l’oeil (‘far from the eye’, so named because of the distance of the bunch from the budding place), braucol (aka fer servadou) and duras alongside sauvignon blanc, gamay and syrah, are used to make a wide variety of styles.