Le Grand Blanc de Revelette IGP 2024

This white wine shows the cool side of Provence. Peter Fischer hails from Baden-Baden, studied oenology at Davis in California and, in 1985, found in Jouques the place that matched his vision. His Grand Blanc is built with freshness and precision: lemon and white blossom meet herbal spice and a taut minerality that only great day-night temperature swings can produce.

Château Revelette lies 30 kilometres north of Aix-en-Provence at the foot of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire, the mountain Cézanne painted countless times. 30 hectares of vines at 330 to 400 metres altitude, surrounded by 170 hectares of forest, at the north-westernmost edge of the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence. At night, cold air glides down from the Alps and fills the valley: slow ripening, lively acidity, tension in the glass.

Chardonnay sets the tone, a rarity in Provence, yet at home at Revelette for decades. Sauvignon Blanc brings peppery citrus notes, Roussanne floral fullness and a silky texture. Part of the wine ages in small wooden barrels, the rest in stainless steel for freshness and polish. Fischer was among the first to use concrete eggs; he also works with amphorae, foudres and aroma-neutral concrete tanks. Treatments follow the lunar calendar, using nettles and eggshells.

Juicy and clearly defined, with passion fruit and ripe pear alongside the citrus fruit. The acidity stays lively, the texture creamy, the finish long and saline.

With grilled sea bass with fennel and olive oil, coquilles Saint-Jacques in a light saffron sauce, poulet à la provençale with lemon and thyme, or a mature Comté.

Certified organic since 1990, biodynamic since 2011. Hugo and Clara, the next generation, are now involved, carrying forward 40 years of accumulated knowledge.