Cheap Grapes: Grandes Serres Les Portes du Castelas Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2007

Yes, that name is a mouthful, but so is the wine. This is definitely the white wine of the year in my household. You certainly don't see whites from Cotes du Rhone every day, and certainly not such a great wine at such an affordable price ($14.95 CDN here in Ontario). This a a blend of five grapes, including including Roussanne and Mausanne, two local grapes. This leads to a variety of flavours, including two layers of fruitiness, beginning with a sweet nectarine and moving into a slightly citrusy pink grapefruit. There's also just a hint of that mineral taste that I admire in good whites . We bought a half dozen bottles of this one and have been enjoying it with all types of food, and even on its own. It has been selling briskly here, and I urge everyone to get their hands on some before its bone. Put some aside for next summer, as you won't likely find a comparable white at this price.