Some tales begin with legends, and that of Ermitage is one such story. The name likely first emerged in the 17th century, in honour of Henry Gaspar, a knight of Stérimberg who, after returning from the crusades in the 13th century and weary of war, chose to live as a hermit on a hillside granted by Anne of Castile, Queen of Spain. There, he planted a vineyard, thus creating a terroir that would captivate wine enthusiasts worldwide for centuries to come.
Among those enchanted by its allure were Alexandre Dumas and Tsar Nicholas II, two of the many connoisseurs who acknowledged the high quality and elegance of this legendary wine. Today, this tradition of excellence is upheld by ventures such as M. Chapoutier, one of the most prestigious names in the Rhône Valley and a true global benchmark in viticulture. Their philosophy marries respect for the terroir, a passion for biodynamics, and an almost magical insight to identify the finest vineyards.
A sublime example of this expertise is M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Méal Blanc. This wine hails from a 2-hectare vineyard on the Méal hillside, with marsanne vines over 50 years old planted on alluvial pebble soils, which impart freshness, minerality, and character to each cluster of marsanne.
The harvest is conducted manually, selecting only the most perfect grapes. After whole grape pressing, a cold pre-fermentative maceration is carried out for 24 to 48 hours. Approximately half of the must is transferred to new 600-litre French oak barrels, while the other half remains in vats, seeking the perfect balance between fruit, minerality, and wood. Finally, the wine rests on lees for 12 months, developing texture, complexity, and a refined character that is quintessentially emblematic of Ermitage.
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Méal Blanc is an elegant, profound, and luminous wine. A white that reminds us that Ermitage remains one of the most admired and coveted names in the world of wine.