People usually talk about the red when Saint-Chinian comes up. The white remains little known — wrongly so. Here is what you need to discover it.
Which grape varieties go into a Saint-Chinian white?
The whites are built on Mediterranean white grape varieties: Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne and Vermentino (also called rolle), sometimes with a touch of Viognier or Bourboulenc depending on the estate. Each one contributes something: richness and roundness from the Grenache and the Marsanne, finesse and freshness from the Roussanne and the Vermentino.
What does it taste like, what is its style?
Expect a dry white, with white fruit (peach, pear), flowers and a Mediterranean touch (garrigue, citrus). On the schist terroirs of the north it gains tension and minerality; in the south it becomes rounder.
What should you drink it with?
A Saint-Chinian white is a wonderful match for fish and seafood, poultry in a cream sauce, fresh goat's cheeses, or simply southern cooking (grilled vegetables, tapas). Serve it chilled, at around 10-12 °C.
Why is it rarer?
Red wine largely dominates the appellation's production. White remains a minority, which makes it a lovely discovery for anyone wanting to stray off the beaten track. With us, you will find our whites in the white wines collection.
Frequently asked questions
Is Saint-Chinian white dry or sweet?
Dry. It is a food wine, fresh and aromatic, not a sweet wine.
Does a Saint-Chinian Berlou white exist?
No. The Berlou and Roquebrun crus are reserved for red. A white from the area simply carries the "Saint-Chinian" designation.
Which grape varieties are used for Saint-Chinian white?
Mainly Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne and Vermentino.
Going further
- Saint-Chinian wine: the complete guide
- Saint-Chinian red: grape varieties and character
- What should you drink a Saint-Chinian with?
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