Cotes Du Rhone - Artemis White

Artemis White is sold under a Côtes du Rhône-style name, and the listing gives Massachusetts as its origin. The name is a style reference. The listing doesn't give a grape blend, vintage or alcohol level, so the notes below describe what white wines in this style usually show, not a measured profile of this bottle. White Côtes du Rhône is traditionally built on Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier and Clairette. Expect a dry, medium-bodied white with ripe orchard and stone fruit such as pear, yellow apple and peach. Floral or lightly herbal lifts are common, and so is a rounder, slightly waxy texture. Acidity is usually moderate, not sharp, and tannin is negligible. Oak is optional in this style, and many versions are fermented in steel for a clean finish that ends on a gentle, faintly nutty or citrus-pith note. That texture makes it a good table wine for food with some richness. Roast chicken with herbs, pan-seared white fish with butter or lemon, creamy vegetable soups and risotto, and mild, soft-rind cheeses all suit it. Grilled shrimp and dishes with garlic or fennel also work, because the body holds up to them without covering delicate flavors. Serve it chilled but not icy, around 46 to 52°F. A short time in the fridge, or about 20 to 30 minutes in an ice bucket, is enough. Colder serving mutes the aromatics that make this style appealing. Decanting isn't needed, although a few minutes in the glass will soften it if it comes straight from a cold fridge. An all-purpose white wine glass or a slightly broader-bowled one gives the aromas room to open up. Wines in this style are generally made to be drunk young, within a couple of years of release, while the fruit and florals are fresh. Without a stated vintage or producer notes, treat this as a bottle to open soon, not one to cellar.