While Plan de Dieu is largely gravelly red clay soils over sandstone or water retaining blue clay, but there are occasional sandy spots scattered around the appellation. The previous owner of Clos St-Antonin planted Chardonnay and Clairette on the sandier soils at the base of the gentle hill where the Grenache, Syrah & Mourvèdre are located. Rather than grub the Chardonnay or graft it over, Isabelle Sabon makes a IGP Blanc of roughly equal parts Chardonnay and Clairette. While the Chardonnay is fermented and aged in French oak barrels for richness and texture, the Clairette is kept in tank contributing floral notes, minerality and tremendous freshness to the finished wine.
