# Pallagusti Vin de France Blanc (2024)

- **Producer:** Domaine Carterole
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Vermentino, Xarel-lo
- **Region:** Languedoc-Roussillon, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €22
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, apricot, lemon, grapefruit

## About this wine

Domaine Carterole was established by Joachim Roque, a native of Collioure whose family has deep roots in local maritime and agricultural traditions. After studying organic viticulture and training under renowned natural winemakers, Roque began crafting wines that reflect the rugged terrain of Roussillon. The name Carterole pays homage to his grandfather's nickname, derived from the small Catalan wood barrels traditionally carried by local fishermen. Pallagusti Vin de France Blanc is named after Lo Pallagusti, a historic satirical literary journal from Roussillon. The 2024 vintage brings together Vermentino with Xarel-lo, a Catalan variety primarily found across the Spanish border in Penedes, creating a cross-border Mediterranean profile. Grown on steep schist terraces and varied soils in Saint-Andre and Collioure, the vineyards are farmed with strict adherence to organic principles.

## Interesting facts

- The domain name honors the winemaker's grandfather, whose nickname came from 'carterole'—a Catalan barrel used by local fishermen.
- Pallagusti is named after Lo Pallagusti, a historic satirical cultural publication native to the Roussillon region.
- The wine features Xarel-lo, a grape prominent in Spanish Penedès, blended here with Vermentino in French Roussillon.
- Vineyards on steep schist slopes are maintained manually using a traditional Catalan pickaxe called a xadic.

## Food pairing

The wine's bright acidity and saline coastal character complement fresh seafood, cut through light goat cheeses, and harmonize with fresh citrus dressings without overwhelming lighter dishes.

## Wine making process

The grapes for Pallagusti Blanc are hand-harvested in small crates to protect fruit integrity. In line with Domaine Carterole's natural winemaking ethos, the wine is crafted with zero oenological inputs. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using native wild yeasts. No sulfites are added at any point during fermentation or bottling. The wine undergoes aging in neutral stainless steel and fiberglass vats to maintain clarity without oak influence, and it is bottled unfined and unfiltered.