Domaine Houchart Sainte Victoire
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Domaine Houchart Sainte Victoire
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The new "Sainte Victoire" appellation lies to the east of Aix-en-Provence, at the foot of the Sainte Victoire mountain, and covers a very small area at the heart of the Côtes de Provence region. The soil is a reddish colour with a high proportion of limestone scree that has come from the surrounding mountains; it is gravelly in places, often on steep slopes and is ideally exposed. Half of Domaine Houchart is in the new appellation area.
The grapes are picked early in the morning to retain fresh aromas. The juice is settled at 12°C and vinfication takes place at 18°C. The wine is then gently matured on the lees to give it greater presence and length on the palate. The blend contains: Grenache 47%; Mourvèdre 14%; Syrah 21% and Cinsault 18%. The wine is a light pink colour with fruity, strawberry, white peach and almond paste aromas and a certain mineral taste that comes from the "terroir". Serving suggestions: serve chilled at about 12°C, as an aperitif, with sushi, salads and pizzas, all fish and seafood white meat or savoury tarts. This autumn, if the ageing process goes well, we shall be presenting "Domaine Houchart Sainte Victoire Red 2004". Blend: Grenache 45%; Syrah 25%; Mourvèdre 18%; Cabernet 7%; Carignan 5%. A promising wine with an intense ruby colour and redberry aromas mixed with a hint of spice. Dense, well-rounded tannins, delicious...
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