Xavier Roger

Xavier Roger’s roots were firmly in the vineyards of Sancerre in the Loire Valley. Son of Jean-Max Roger whose 34ha domaine in the village of Bué, just south-west of town of Sancerre, is renowned for its production of high quality, Sancerre, Menetou-Salon and Pouilly Fumé. However three is a crowd, and with his brothers Thibault and Etienne working at the family domaine, Xavier set out on his own and made his own way.

 

After attending winemaking school in Burgundy followed by three years of viticulture training at the agronomy school in Montpelier, Xavier spent the 1990’s gaining international winemaking experience in the US, New Zealand and Germany before returning to France to work in Bordeaux.

 

After three years running  a 60ha estate in Nimes, Xavier joined Alain Grignon who had set up LGI in 1999, along with Thierry Leduc and Englishman Mark Lynton, to run the entire winemaking operation as well as developing relationships with some of the finest growers in the region. It is these close relationships which puts Xavier ahead of all others in securing the best parcels of grapes in the region.

 

In 2013 Alain Grignon retired and Xavier took over the general management of the company, whilst maintaining full control of the winemaking process and grower relationships.

 

Mastering the nuances of Sothern French varietals and combining traditional as well as innovative winemaking techniques, Xavier Roger wines are a superb example of the quality that is now being produced in the South of France.

 

Rich and expressive with notes of white peach, mango and a touch of lime blossom.

Enjoy with spaghetti carbonara.

The first step in crafting this Grenache is picking the grapes at perfect maturity to create a rich and balanced white wine. The pressing is very gentle in a pneumatic press with an extraction of the premium juices only. The fermentation is driven in stainless steel vats with temperature control (16/18°C). The wine is kept on its fine lees with regular stirring before bottling.

Jancisrobinson.com, 2023, 15.5 "Mango and lovage cream. An almost dessert-like richness but with Grenache Blanc's classic 'toasted-porridge' savouriness showing through on the end. Not long, but perfect for a creamy chicken bake!" Brian Elliott, Midweek Wines, January 2022: "Once largely a winemaker’s “texture adding” bit-part player in France’s Rhône Valley, the white version of grenache increasingly secures solo roles nowadays, particularly in the new world but – as in this example – also in Languedoc. Soft and delightfully aromatic, it contains white peach and crunchy apple flavours enlivened by sharp lime acidity and is given depth by a nicely balanced and creamy texture plus suspicions of grapefruit-based pithiness." Wine Merchant Top 100 2023, Highly Commended.