2021 Tercero Clairette Blanche: A Refreshing Exploration of a Southern Rhône Grape

What is Clairette Blanche?  

Clairette Blanche is a French white grape variety that produces light to medium-bodied wines that are lively and fresh. Clairette Blanche is one of the unsung heroes of the viticultural world, a quintessential grape variety that has a century’s long history in its native France. Grown predominantly in the Rhône Valley of France, this enigmatic grape is also found in Provence, Languedoc, South Africa, Australia, and California.

Historically, we know that Clairette Blanche has been cultivated since antiquity, with written records of the grape dating back to the 16th century. This grape has been an essential component in French winemaking traditions, particularly noted for its role in crafting the esteemed Châteauneuf-du-Pape whites (it’s currently the second most planted grape in Châteauneuf-du-Pape) and other Rhône blends.

Clairette Blanche is also used to make two of Rhône’s most popular sparkling wines: Clairette de Die AOC is a natural sparkling white wine and Crémant de Die, a dry sparkling wine.

What does Clairette wine taste like?

On the palate, Clairette Blanche is lively and fresh. These French white wines are zesty acidic, and have notes of crisp green apple, white flowers, citrus, orchard fruit, and, occasionally, herbal notes of fennel or anise.

Tercero Wines: A Rhone Lover’s Dream Winery  

Larry Schaffer, the owner of Tercero Wines, founded the brand in 2006. On the Tercero Wines website, Schaffer makes it known that forming a winery was a “second act” career after leaving the world of publishing. Even as a student studying at the UC Davis Viticulture and Enology school, a number of his fellow students were young enough to be his kids!

After completing the program at UC Davis – one of the best in the country, by the way, Schaffer began working at Fess Parker Winery, which is part of the Los Olivos wine scene.

Larry appreciates the relaxed approach that this Santa Barbara wine region takes to winemaking, and when it was time to start his own winery, he knew he would ultimately want to set up shop in the low-key California wine town where he started his career.

Other Wines in the Tercero Wines Portfolio  

If you visit the Tercero Wines tasting room in Los Olivos, you will be greeted with a diverse selection of French inspired wines, and one or two Italian influenced wines, too.

As part of the Rhone Ranger cohort, owner / winemaker Larry Schaffer devotes much of his winemaking power to bottles of Mourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne. The Tercero Wines portfolio also dabbles in Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc and Malvasia Bianca.

How to Pair Clairette Blanche  

Clairette Blanche, with its vibrant acidity and nuanced flavor profile, pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods. For seafood lovers, the crispness of wines like the 2021 Tercero Clairette Blanche goes well with dishes like grilled shrimp, oysters, scallops, and lightly prepared fish such as sole or sea bass are excellent matches.

The wine also pairs beautifully with fresh salads, especially those with citrus-based dressings, fennel, or fresh herbs, as well as tangy and creamy goat cheese. Light poultry dishes like herb-roasted chicken seasoned with rosemary, thyme, or tarragon are also good choices.

Vegetarians will find Clairette Blanche an excellent companion to various vegetable dishes. Simple preparations like steamed asparagus, grilled zucchini, and ratatouille are wonderfully complemented by the wine’s fresh and clean characteristics. Additionally, soft cheeses such as Brie or Camembert can create a delightful contrast with the wine’s acidity.