Medium gold color; Meyer lemon, tangerine, citrus, apricot, pear, peach, green apple, fennel, honeysuckle, white flowers, minerality on the nose and palate.
Dry; fresh acidity (3.34 pH); medium body. Blend of roussanne, viognier, grenache blanc, and clairette—various sources given different percentages. Grapes machine-harvested and totally destemmed. Light skin maceration, particularly for the viognier. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel. Aged five months on the lees. Classic style by skilled winemaker. “Belleruche” translates to “beautiful beehive” in French. It takes its name from the bees and hives that thrive in M. Chapoutier’s sustainable vineyards. 13.5% ABV
M. (Michael) Chapoutier is renowned Rhône negotiant and winery. The Chapoutier family’s association and respect dates back to the early 1800s when Michael’s great-, great-, great grandfather, Marius, purchased an estate and vineyards in the now-famous village of Tain l’Hermitage in the northern Rhône Valley and notably became the first grape grower to vinify his own fruit.
Two centuries later, Michael grows some vines and purchases juice from other vinegrowers in the great wine growing region of southeastern France. The Chapoutier family moto is Fac et Sprea—“do and hope”. Their website celebrates audacity: “Being audacious means keeping an open mind, embracing new horizons, other localities, other organic winegrowing methods. Being audacious means combining tradition and modernity, making it possible for them to join forces and engender new know-how and craft.”
Part of that approach is careful attention to terroir, which includes responsible agriculture commitments and biodynamic agriculture in some areas. Led by winemaker Michael Chapoutier, they pioneered a special wine team dedicated to “accompanying the wine harvest” to provide guidance and support for implementing farming methods favored by M. Chapoutier in his own vineyards and among grape growers who provide grapes to the winery.
M. Chapoutier also asserts dedication to consumers. Their stated values include: “Respect for the consumer whether they are wine connoisseurs or not. Maison M. Chapoutier crafts its regional wines with the same dedication given to the most prestigious bottles, investing just as much faith. The aim is always to convey the same love of wine, to give complete beginners a chance to discover its diversity.”
M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc 2021 if clean, fresh, citrusy, round, versatile food wine. Elegantly expressive of its blend of grapes. Tartness and acidity are invigorating rather than annoying. It is almost impossible to go wrong with a M. Chapoutier effort and its impressive expression of the Rhône Valley. Serve well chilled. Pair with fish, shellfish, grilled vegetables, pasta alfredo, salads and vegetarian fare; pork; chicken; cured meats; charcuterie board on the patio on sunny day. Cheese—mild cheddar, gouda, smoked gouda, monterey jack, triple cream, brie, Spanish sheep’s milk cheese. $15-18
