Irouléguy Blanc “Herri Mina” - 2022

Deep in an area renowned for its independent and strong ancestral culture, the Basque Country is in the southwestern-most part of France. Here, Irouléguy received its appellation contrôlée in 1970, with about 250 acres of vineyards. Jean-Claude Berrouet is an Irouléguy native who left home for thirty years to serve as the winemaker at Château Pétrus. But the Basque region has a powerful pull, and Jean-Claude eventually returned and now makes this splendid white blend of Gros Manseng, Petit Corbu, and Petit Manseng there. The vines are planted on the steep south-facing slopes of the Pyrénées, 400 feet above sea level. It’s a fleshy and bright white with excellent texture and complex flavors ranging from honey crisp apple to nectarine, pink sea salt, and honeysuckle. Paired wonderfully with shrimp and scallop gumbo and cheesy grits.