Domaine de La Becassonne Cotes du Rhone Blanc

Domaine de La Becassonne Côtes du Rhône Blanc is a southern Rhône white wine bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by André Brunel — the acclaimed vigneron behind Domaine Les Cailloux in Châteauneuf-du-Pape — this cuvée stands out as a white-wine-focused estate in a region where roughly ninety percent of production is red.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Southern Rhône Valley, France  |  Style: Côtes du Rhône Blanc AOC  |  Producer: André Brunel (Domaine de La Bécassonne)

Production & Heritage

André Brunel farms vineyards near the village of Sorgue in the southern Rhône, where La Bécassonne operates as a separate domaine devoted almost exclusively to white wine — a rarity in this corner of France. The blend brings together 55% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, and 15% Clairette, fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve aromatics and fruit purity. Yields are kept low at around 40 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine is bottled in early March to capture maximum freshness and vibrancy before any character is lost to extended aging.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe peach and apricot, followed by orange blossom and blanched almond. Subtle wildflower and honeyed undertones emerge as the wine warms in the glass.

Taste: On entry, juicy stone fruit — peach, nectarine, and dried apricot — leads into a mid-palate of quince, citrus peel, and a delicate touch of lavender. Fresh acidity provides structure and keeps the wine lively, while faint minerality and a whisper of vanilla appear at the peak.

Finish: Medium in length with a clean, energetic close. Lingering notes of green pear and white flowers leave a refreshing impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink La Bécassonne Blanc

This wine is best served well chilled, around 8–10°C (46–50°F), and drinks beautifully on its own as an aperitif or alongside food. Its bright acidity and stone-fruit richness also make it a versatile cocktail-adjacent option.

• White Wine Spritzer: The peach and citrus notes hold up well with soda water and a twist of lemon.
• French 75 (wine variation): Swap Champagne for this Rhône blanc for a fuller-bodied, aromatic take on the classic.
• Sangria Blanca: The stone-fruit character and floral lift make it a natural base for a white sangria with sliced nectarines and fresh herbs.

Best For

• Summer entertaining where a crowd-pleasing, food-friendly white is needed
• Gifting to a Rhône Valley enthusiast who already knows the reds
• Pairing with a Mediterranean-style dinner at home
• Exploring southern French white blends beyond Viognier-dominated bottlings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does La Bécassonne Blanc taste like? It delivers ripe peach, apricot, and nectarine flavors supported by fresh acidity, with secondary notes of citrus peel, lavender, quince, and a hint of minerality on the finish.

How does La Bécassonne Blanc compare to other Côtes du Rhône whites? Many Côtes du Rhône blancs lean heavily on Viognier or Grenache Blanc, producing rounder, more overtly floral wines. La Bécassonne's Roussanne-dominant blend (55%) gives it more textural weight and stone-fruit depth while the Clairette adds brightness and lift.

Is La Bécassonne Blanc good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balance of ripe fruit, fresh acidity, and floral aromatics makes it an immediately appealing aperitif that requires no food to enjoy.

Where is La Bécassonne Blanc made? It is produced by André Brunel at Domaine de La Bécassonne near the village of Sorgue in the southern Rhône Valley, France, within the Côtes du Rhône appellation.

What foods pair well with La Bécassonne Blanc? Grilled white fish benefits from the wine's acidity and stone-fruit notes. Goat cheese salads echo its fresh, herbaceous side. Roasted chicken with Provençal herbs complements its lavender and floral qualities. Shrimp scampi matches its citrus brightness. Apricot tart mirrors the wine's dominant fruit character for a harmonious dessert pairing.

What sizes does La Bécassonne Blanc come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is La Bécassonne Blanc worth the price? La Bécassonne positions as an approachable, value-tier Côtes du Rhône blanc that punches above its price class, offering the pedigree of a Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer at an everyday-drinking price point.

Why La Bécassonne Blanc?

What separates this wine from the crowd of southern Rhône whites is its origin: a domaine run by André Brunel that focuses almost entirely on white production in a landscape dominated by red Grenache. The early-March bottling protocol locks in aromatics and vibrancy that many comparable whites lose to extended tank time. Its Roussanne-led blend provides more palate weight and complexity than the typical Grenache Blanc or Viognier-forward Côtes du Rhône blanc, and the low 40 hl/ha yields concentrate flavor without sacrificing freshness. For anyone seeking a serious southern French white at a friendly price, this is one of the more distinctive options in the appellation.