2015 Gerard Bertrand “Perles” De Sauvignon Blanc $17.99

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Winery Tasting Notes: “Sauvignon Blanc grapes ripen very early and need to be picked at the precise time, determined by tasting the fruit before harvesting, in order to obtain the full intensity that is characteristic of this grape variety.  The grapes are picked during the night to preserve the freshness of the fruit.  They are delicately pressed upon arrival to the winery.  Around 10% of the wine is vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats at a cool temperature to preserve the fullness and freshness of the flavors.  After light fining, bottling takes place fairly early on to preserve the wine’s fresh fruity character. 

This Sauvignon Blanc is characterized by its attractive citrus, and sometimes menthol aroma that gives way to a nicely rounded palate.  With partial oak aging, the wine has excellent structure followed by a lengthy finish. 

Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol Level: 12%
Cases Produced: 800 cases
Winemaker Name: Gerard Bertrand
Maturity: Drink Now – 2020

Pairings:  Oysters/Raw, light white fish in white wine sauce, green veges/salads

Staff Review:  DREW MOFFAT – When it comes to value wines from France, Gerard Bertrand has been an absolute stellar find for us at Carpe Vino.  We started selling Gerard Bertrand Brut Rose about 5 years ago where it quickly became one of our best-selling sparkling wines under $18/bottle.  This was then followed up by their still Rosé which was insanely awesome for the $$$ but one of the coolest packages too!  If you looked closely, the bottom of the bottle or “punt” was actually shaped as a rose (flower).  I know there are purist who say it should never be about the bottle (marketing) but what’s inside the bottle!  Part of me agrees with that statement.  On the contrary, I also feel marketing your product in a way that the customer will remember you/it by, is more important than ever right now because of the overall sheer numbers of wines available for purchase.  So…I like the rose punt and the wine that’s in it!  Bravo Gerard Bertrand.

The 2015 Perles is a newer project for Gerard Bertrand which pays tribute to its region (along Mediterranean coast) symbolizing the pearls that can be found in the oysters.  The glass stopper with a blue color evokes the Mediterranean coast and/or the cradle of this wine.  The bottle, wearing its pearl necklace (actually has protruding necklace) is a unique model in the world imagined by the designer Chatal Thomass, a well-known French designer.

In my opinion, when it comes to flavor this is much more of a blend of Loire and Bordeaux-style Sauvignon Blanc.  You have characteristics of both but not as flinty as Loire can bring and/or bone dry as Bordeaux.  This is just a fruit forward (subtle), not super complex (acidity or tartness) fruit forward, approachable, crowd-pleasing wine.   Cheers!

Here is an interesting tid bit: Gérard Bertrand (born January 27, 1965) is a former rugby union player who represented France, RC Narbonne, and the Stade Français. He retired from his rugby career to take over the family estate after the accidental death of his father and is now a renowned winemaker of Languedoc-Roussillon.  WIKIPEDIA

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