Mas Carlot Clairette de Bellegarde 'La Terre Natale', Rhone, France

Mas Carlot’s 2021 'La Terre Natale' Clairette de Bellegarde is a luminous and expressive white wine from one of France’s oldest appellations, dating back to 1949. This pure Clairette captures the sun-drenched terroir of the Rhône Valley with floral finesse, vibrant fruit, and a crystalline minerality that makes it both refreshing and complex. Grown organically and vinified with meticulous care, this cuvée reflects the historic prestige and innovation of the Mas Carlot estate.

Product Details:

• Wine: Clairette de Bellegarde 'La Terre Natale'
• Producer: Mas Carlot
• Region: Rhône Valley, France
• Appellation: Clairette de Bellegarde AOP
• Vintage: 2021
• Variety: 100% Clairette
• Alcohol: 14.0% ABV
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Vinification:
  • Fermented and aged primarily in ovoid concrete tanks for gentle convection
  • 20% aged in barrel for added depth
  • 10% matured in terracotta amphora for textural finesse
• Closure: Cork
• Body: Full
• Style: Dry white wine

Sensory Description:

Brilliant straw-gold in the glass, this Clairette opens with a floral bouquet of acacia and honeysuckle, accented by subtle hints of apricot and wild herbs. On the palate, it is smooth and fluid, offering layers of white-fleshed fruit—think pear and apple—alongside delicate almond and dried fruit tones. The finish is clean, thirst-quenching, and infused with a stony minerality that speaks of its pebble-rich Rhône terroir.

Winemaker's Background:

Mas Carlot is a historic estate in the village of Bellegarde, rooted in Provençal charm and Rhône viticultural heritage. Now helmed by Cyril Marès, an agronomist and oenologist with international winemaking experience, the estate spans 65 hectares in the northern Camargue. Cyril honors the land’s legacy with organic practices and a reverence for its ancient soils of rounded Rhône pebbles. Since 2018, he has led the estate’s transition into a new era, preserving its 17th-century heritage while championing terroir-driven, sustainable viticulture. His focus on harmony between vine, soil, and craftsmanship results in wines of elegance and purity, such as this evocative Clairette.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve chilled at 8–10°C in a medium-bodied white wine glass. Ideal as an aperitif or paired with briny oysters from Bouzigues, grilled Mediterranean fish, or shellfish risottos. Its bright acidity and elegant aromatics make it a versatile partner for both coastal fare and spring vegetables.

Mas Carlot’s 2021 Clairette de Bellegarde 'La Terre Natale' is a beautifully expressive homage to one of the Rhône’s most ancient and distinguished terroirs—fresh, floral, and effortlessly graceful.