Vin de France 'Ballon' Blanc 2023, Cros des Calades

The 'Ballon' Blanc 2023 by Cros des Calades seamlessly blends southern warmth with striking mineral precision. Crafted by Florence and Benoît Chazallon (renowned for Château de la Selve) in Grospierres, this cuvée is a vibrant blend of Grenache Blanc, Rolle (Vermentino), and Chardonnay. The result is an energetic, pure white wine filled with juicy stone fruit, delicate floral notes, and a beautifully balanced structure.

In the glass, the wine shows a bright straw-yellow color. The nose opens with expressive aromas of ripe peach, white flowers, fresh citrus, and green apple. On the palate, the interplay of grape varieties shines: Rolle provides floral finesse and crisp acidity, Chardonnay adds texture and backbone, while Grenache Blanc contributes rounded fruitiness. The finish is subtly spiced, mineral, and refreshingly clean.

Key Highlights

• Terroir: Sourced from 5 organically farmed vineyards (average vine age 30 years) around Grospierres in the southern Ardèche, planted on clay-limestone soils.
• Winemaking & Ageing: Hand-harvested, directly pressed, and spontaneously fermented using native yeasts. Aged for 6 months in stainless steel (inox) tanks, followed by light filtration.
• Sustainability: Certified organic farming and natural winemaking with minimal cellar intervention.
• Tasting Profile: Fresh, juicy, and multi-layered. Notes of ripe peach, white blossom, citrus, subtle spice, and a focused mineral finish.
• Ageing Potential: Exceptionally refreshing and approachable now, with the structure to maintain its vitality over 2 to 4 years.

Food Pairing

• Fish & Seafood: Outstanding alongside white fish ceviche, crab salad, or shellfish with a light citrus dressing.
• Poultry & Tagines: Excellent match for grilled lemon chicken with Provençal herbs, as well as mild vegetable tagines or spiced couscous.
• Salads: Ideal with fresh summer salads featuring fennel, orange, or toasted nuts.
• Cheese: Pairs wonderfully with fresh goat cheese, feta, or creamy burrata.
• Serving Suggestion: Best served chilled between 9°C and 11°C in generous white wine glasses.

The Terroir of Cros des Calades

Grospierres is situated in the southern Ardèche, tucked between the Rhône Valley and the Cévennes mountains. The clay-limestone soils coupled with cool nocturnal mountain breezes create an exceptional microclimate for white grape varieties, allowing full aromatic ripening while retaining vibrant acidity and saline minerality.

About Cros des Calades (Château de la Selve)

Florence and Benoît Chazallon are the visionary winemakers behind Château de la Selve. Through their Cros des Calades project, they vinify organically grown grapes from local plots using their trusted philosophy: native yeast fermentations, minimal cellar intervention, and pure terroir expression. Ballon Blanc represents their versatile, gastronomic white flagship.