Cros des Calades 'Dolmen' 2022

The vibe: We’re big fans of Cros des Calades. There’s something about all of their cuveés that makes them all so easy and effortless, yet they abstain from becoming one dimensional. Who knows how they do it. Guess that’s why they’re winemakers and we’re wine drinkers! ‘Dolmen’ is a skin contact white with a fairly long duration maceration. Despite the time on its skins though, it still drinks fairly light, with a dry and spicy finish and subtle aromatics. This is the perfect food pairing wine if you’re grabbing takeout with spicy or umami components, or whipping up a ramen or even more strongly flavored dishes. Mushroom-based dishes would go great with this as well. More on that down below! 

The winemaker: Cros des Calades is a new project from Benoit and Florence of Château de la Selve in Ardèche, France. The vines of this wild Ardechois terroir, arguably one of the least-tamed in France, are planted to rocky, rolling hillsides and peppered between national parks featuring steep, swimmable river gorges where French adventure-seekers come for their summer holidays. In terms of wine, the Ardèche is akin to the Cotes du Rhone, but more fun. There’s far less pressure here to hit certain marks of ‘typicity’, so the region has fostered winemakers like Benoit and Florence who make something fundamentally new out of local varietals. 

The geeky details: 30% Viognier, 70% Sauvignon blanc. Clay-Limestone Soils between the Rhône and les Cévennes/ 30 year old vines on average. Fermented with native yeasts during a 20-day maceration, followed by 6 months in stainless steel.

Serve: With a chill.

Food pairing: Mushroom risotto, miso ramen, 3-star pad see ew, any umami or spicy dishes. You can really ramp up the flavors with this one so don’t be afraid to throw it at more powerful dishes! 

Album pairing: Houis - Outgrown