In the glass
What it pairs with
-
Roast turbot with beurre blanc
The wine's waxy richness and mineral depth are an ideal partner for butter-finished turbot. -
Veal sweetbreads with morel mushrooms
Earthy morels and delicate sweetbreads match the wine's hazelnut and mineral character. -
Lobster gratin with cream
Rich shellfish and cream amplify the wine's textural generosity.
How to serve Hermitage Blanc
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast turbot with beurre blanc, Veal sweetbreads with morel mushrooms, Lobster gratin with cream. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Like the rouge, Chave's Hermitage blanc has been produced across centuries from white parcels on the Hermitage hill. The blend of Marsanne and Roussanne is a traditional Hermitage white formulation.
- 1481 — Chave family begins cultivating white-grape lieux-dits on the Hermitage hill
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
- Grapes
- Marsanne (80%), Roussanne (20%)
- Classification
- Hermitage AOC
- Oak
- 12 months in older French oak foudres
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 200-350 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-30 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1481
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Organic
- ECOCERT
Frequently asked about Hermitage Blanc
What does Hermitage Blanc taste like?
Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, medium acidity with a very long, waxy and mineral finish.
When should I drink Hermitage Blanc?
Drink 5-30 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Hermitage Blanc?
Roast turbot with beurre blanc is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Veal sweetbreads with morel mushrooms and Lobster gratin with cream. The wine's waxy richness and mineral depth are an ideal partner for butter-finished turbot.
What grapes are in Hermitage Blanc?
The blend is Marsanne (80%), Roussanne (20%). The wine is classified as Hermitage AOC.