Clairette 2022, IGP Alpilles Dominique Hauvette | Provence

Domaine Hauvette 's Clairette cuvée is Dominique Hauvette's singular, luminous interpretation of this southern grape variety. In the steep foothills of the Alpilles, this parcel benefits from an exceptional terroir: shallow, stony clay-limestone soils, bathed in light and swept by the Mistral wind. This dry, windy climate, typical of Provence, ensures perfect ripeness of the grapes, while preserving a natural tension that is rare at these latitudes. Clairette, whose grapes are also used in the Dolia cuvée blend, is vinified and aged in concrete eggs, a neutral, breathable container that allows the wine to blossom while preserving its purity and freshness. No new wood, no make-up, just slow evolution on fine lees for several months, giving the wine depth and texture, without ever betraying the finesse of this often underestimated grape variety.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Domaine Hauvette 's cuvée Clairette is the summer reference that Dominique Hauvette's range has been missing. This Provençal white gracefully combines Mediterranean influences with the temperance of the Alpilles altitude in a remarkably fresh cuvée. With this first vintage, Dominique Hauvette once again demonstrates his mastery of natural winemaking and his talent for producing wines with the precision of a goldsmith, even with his more accessible cuvées.

On the nose, there's an explosion of freshness, with iodine, juicy citrus and wild white flowers. The bouquet becomes even more complex, with typical varietal touches.

The palate reveals an invigorating attack, carried by a vertical energy that carries the lemony, iodized aromas. Fine bitters flesh out the finish, which settles into a persistent, saline freshness to which one inevitably wishes to return.