Tuesday, 10 August 2010

Wine-making with Clairette

Oxidation occurs very readily during wine-making with Clairette, and ‘rancio’ wines made with overripe grapes are still covered by the French-controlled appellation regulations. Clairette also imparts a distinctive varietal character in the absence of oxidation and is used in many appellation wines, both still and sparkling. It is sometimes used alone but more often in combination with other varieties: some red wines contain up to 20% Clairette.