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History of Viticulture in Greece: A Millennial Heritage
Greek viticulture dates back over 6,000 years, with evidence of vine cultivation from 4,000 BC. In ancient Greece, wine held a central place, celebrated by the god Dionysus and mentioned in Homer's epics. This period illustrates the importance of wine in ancient Greek culture and society. However, the country's historical upheavals hindered the development of viticulture, relegating Greece to a secondary position on the world stage.
Today, the country's viticulture is experiencing a revival thanks to modern techniques and a new generation of passionate winemakers. These producers combine ancestral know-how and innovation to create quality wines. Indigenous grapes like Assyrtiko, Agiorgitiko, and Xynomavro are regaining their noble status, coexisting with international varieties such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Greece is thus reasserting itself as a land of unique wines, blending millennial traditions with contemporary demands.
Discover the Authenticity of Greek Grape Varieties
Greece, the cradle of civilization and wine, boasts a rich wine heritage with an impressive diversity of grapes. With 300 indigenous grapes cultivated on 70,000 hectares dedicated to wine production, the country offers a unique palette of flavors and aromas. These grapes provide insight into the ancient history of Greek vineyards, where 85% of the area is dedicated to local varieties, while international grapes represent only 15% of plantings. Here's an overview of Greece's emblematic grapes.
Assyrtiko
Originating from the volcanic lands of Santorini, Assyrtiko is a white grape distinguished by its exceptional freshness and minerality. This grape variety, responsible for some of Greece's best white wines, pairs perfectly with seafood and summer salads, offering a unique and refreshing tasting experience.
Xinomavro
Primarily cultivated in Macedonia, this red grape is often compared to the great crus of Italian Piedmont. With complex aromas of red fruits, spices, and sun-dried tomatoes, it pairs ideally with roasted meat dishes.
Liatiko
Growing in the highlands of Crete, Liatiko reveals intense aromas of black cherry and wild berries. This grape is the symbol of Cretan vineyards, where it thrives at an altitude of 650 meters.
Savatiano
Nicknamed "Attica's gold" by the Romans, Savatiano is cultivated around Athens. This white grape offers a dazzling yellow color and subtle aromas of citrus and exotic fruits, with a saline finish that charms the palate.
Moschofilero
Originating from the Peloponnese, this white grape is renowned for its aromatic character, reminiscent of Muscats. Its nuances of rose, orange blossom, and lime appeal to lovers of fresh and floral wines.
Roditis
A versatile grape with pink skin, Roditis is cultivated throughout Greece. When well-crafted, it produces elegant wines with notes of jasmine and flavors of citrus and white fruits like pear.
Muscat à Petits Grains: The Pride of Our Shop
Among this diversity, Muscat à Petits Grains stands out as an essential and unique grape in our selection. This grape, probably of Greek origin, has been cultivated since High Antiquity and is considered the oldest of the Muscats.
The bunches of Muscat à Petits Grains are small to medium, with smaller berries than those of Muscat of Alexandria. This grape variety gives birth to wines with characteristic rose aromas, combined with a very distinctive sweet juice. Its adaptation to calcareous soils and early ripening make it a valuable variety, despite some susceptibility to diseases.
Muscat à Petits Grains is a versatile grape, used to produce a varied range of wines:
Sweet wines: rich and complex, perfect for accompanying desserts. Dry white wines: elegant and aromatic, ideal for aperitifs. Sparkling wines: bubbly and festive, perfect for special occasions.
This grape is the jewel of our Greek selection. It embodies both the authenticity and excellence of the Greek winemaking tradition. You can find this unique variety in our shop, chosen to proudly represent Greece and its exceptional wine heritage.
Greek Wines: An Immersion in Exceptional Terroirs
Greece is a land of contrasts where rugged terrain and climatic diversity create ideal conditions for viticulture. With its varied landscapes, ranging from volcanic islands to green hills, each wine region of Greece produces unique wines that reflect the character of its soil. Here is an overview of the main Greek wine regions before delving into the richness of Samos, the island that gives life to the wines in our shop.
The Main Wine Regions of Greece: The Peloponnese and its exceptional wines
Representing nearly a quarter of the country's wine production, the Peloponnese is a flagship region. The vineyards located on the coast of the Gulf of Corinth and the Ionian Sea benefit from a mild Mediterranean climate. The region is renowned for its full-bodied red wines and aromatic white wines, made from emblematic grape varieties such as Agiorgitiko.
Santorini and its volcanic soils
Santorini, a famous volcanic island, is renowned for its white wines of exceptional minerality, mainly from the Assyrtiko grape. The vines, cultivated in soils composed of ash and pumice, produce grapes concentrated in flavors, offering wines with remarkable freshness and structure, perfectly represented by the Assyrtiko grape variety.
The Hills of Nemea: a rich terroir
Located in the Peloponnese, the hills of Nemea are the birthplace of the Agiorgitiko grape variety. The clay and limestone soils combined with the mild climate allow for the production of rich red wines, with notes of red fruits and spices, and a beautiful tannic structure.
Macedonia and its powerful wines
In northern Greece, Macedonia is distinguished by its robust and tannic wines. The Xinomavro grape variety gives rise to complex crus, often compared to the great Italian Nebbiolo wines, perfect for accompanying tasty meats.
Crete, land of sun and character
Grape varieties such as Vidiano and Liatiko from the island of Crete thrive in a warm climate tempered by sea breezes. Cretan wines, rich in character, are distinguished by their fruity and floral expressions, often associated with a saline note, which perfectly reflect the unique soil of Crete.
Samos: The Jewel of Our Collection
Among all these fascinating regions, this island holds a special place in our shop, because it is from this land that the Greek wines we offer come. Located in the Aegean Sea, it is renowned for its exceptional Muscat wines, produced from the Muscat à Petits Grains grape variety.
An exceptional soil
The renown of Samos Muscat rests on a unique combination of factors:
Ideal soils and climate: The island's volcanic and calcareous soils, combined with generous sunshine, create perfect conditions for Muscat cultivation. An age-old tradition: Samos winemakers use traditional methods passed down from generation to generation, guaranteeing wines of impeccable quality. An exceptional grape variety: Muscat à Petits Grains produces grapes concentrated in sugar and aromas, offering wines with floral and fruity notes.
A variety of styles
Samos wines come in several styles, each reflecting the excellence of local know-how:
Sweet wines: Perfect for accompanying desserts or aged cheeses. Dry white wines: Aromatic and elegant, perfect for aperitifs or light dishes. Sparkling wines: Refreshing and festive, ideal for celebrating great moments.
Why Choose a Wine from Samos?
Choosing a wine from this part of Greece means opting for elegance and authenticity. The region combines a millennial history, modern innovation with projects like Sous le Végétal, and exceptional quality thanks to its unique soil.
Let yourself be seduced by our Samos wines and discover a world of aromas and flavors, reflecting the best of viticultural Greece.
Greek Winemakers: A Millennial Tradition Revisited
Greece is a land of ancient viticulture, where generations of winemakers have shaped the wine landscape by adapting to unique geographical conditions and indigenous grape varieties. Among them, the Sous le Végétal estate, on this volcanic land, stands out as a truly exceptional wine project. This estate is the only representative of Greek wines in our shop, and it perfectly embodies the alliance between tradition and innovation.
Sous le Végétal: The Revival of Natural Wine on the Island of Samos
The Sous le Végétal adventure began with the rediscovery of forgotten Muscat à Petits Grains and Avgoustiatis vines on this volcanic land. This region, rich in a viticultural heritage dating back to 1200 BC, was chosen by the famous winemaker Patrick Bouju, nicknamed the "volcano winemaker," and by Jason Ligas, for an ambitious project: to revive a mythical soil through environmentally friendly practices and natural winemaking. This unique estate is a remarkable example of the fusion between nature and artisanal know-how.
A collective and visionary project
Sous le Végétal relies on a strong team to achieve its ambition:
Patrick Bouju, a specialist in volcanic wines, supervises natural winemaking. Alexiou Vassilis, chief winemaker, leads the Wander by Samos teams, who carefully regenerate the ancient vines. Culinaries, financier and exclusive distributor, ensures that each bottle meets the standards of winemaking without chemical inputs.
The practices used are inspired by permaculture: chamomile, nettles, and natural oils protect the vine, while the winemaking process is entirely based on gravity and draining, without pressing.
Six cuvées to reveal the soul of Samos
Sous le Végétal produces six cuvées of unique quality – five whites and one red – made from grapes grown in different parts of the island. Each wine highlights the identity of Samos's micro-terroirs, with varied profiles ranging from saline and mineral notes to more complex and earthy aromas. These "auteur" wines appeal to both natural wine enthusiasts and those discovering this segment for the first time.
Why Sous le Végétal Is Unique In Our Shop
Sous le Végétal is not just a wine estate; it is a committed approach to preserving and enhancing Greek wine heritage. With its environmentally friendly practices and its roots in the history of Samos, this project embodies the excellence of natural Greek wines.
As the only Greek estate represented in our shop, Sous le Végétal invites you on a unique journey through the authentic flavors and cultural richness of Greece. Discover wines that combine tradition, innovation, and respect for the terroir.
Dive into the world of Sous le Végétal and explore the treasures of Samos through a selection of exceptional natural wines.
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21 products
21 products
Octave White 2018
Octave because okto (eight), eight terraces of four terroirs. This dry white conveys the mineral expression of the rocks present on the island and constitutes a good synthesis of its pedological profile. Schist, limestone, quartz, and volcanic rocks on the eight selected plots. The schist brings salinity, the quartz freshness (acidity), the volcanic rocks austerity, and the limestone tension. The iodine aromas of the Muscat are elegant, avoiding the heavy side of the grape variety. A complex and taut wine, prolonged by a mineral finish. Decanting is recommended to allow it to flourish.
Where?
Villages of Pagondas and Platanos, on the foothills of Mount Karvounis, and on Mount Karvounis itself. Schist, limestone, quartz, and basalt soils.
The vines
Samos small grain Muscat, grown organically in conversion to permaculture. The vines, pruned in goblet form, are harvested by hand from July 23 to September 15, in the early morning.
Vinification
Free-run juice obtained by crushing, vinification without pumping over, aeration, or stabilization. Only settling and topping up are carried out. Vinification is carried out half in 750-liter amphorae and half in 1,400-liter Nomblot concrete vats. Wine without additives, unfiltered, bottled by gravity and transferred by peristaltic pump into black bottles ensuring aging. Aged in bottles with organic cork without paraffin, sealed with a mixture of paraffin and black beeswax.
Livia White 2019
Livia is a dry white wine that reflects the salinity of schist and the freshness of quartz. The iodine aromas of the Muscat are elegant, avoiding the heavy side of the grape variety. It is a long and full-bodied wine, prolonged by a rich finish. Decanting is recommended. The vines, pruned in goblet style, are grown organically and in conversion to permaculture on schist, quartz, and limestone soils not far from the village of Pagondas, in the foothills of Mount Karvounis. Free-run juice obtained by crushing and without pumping over, aeration, or stabilization. Only settling and topping up are carried out. Half vinification in five hundred liter Stockinger barrels and half in five thousand liter stainless steel vats. Wine without additives, unfiltered, bottled by gravity and transferred by peristaltic pump into black bottles ensuring aging.
To find out more
Beneath the plant lies the mineral: this is the meaning of this concept of natural cuvées created in Greece, on the island of Samos, by a team of friends gathered around winemakers Jason Ligas and Patrick Bouju. The successful venture marks a renaissance of the thousand-year-old vineyard of this island in the North Aegean Sea, which owes its dense and woody vegetation to various nicknames received in Antiquity, from Dryoussa (“covered with oaks”) to Kyparissia (“covered with cypresses”) and Melamphyllos (“With dark foliage”). This natural wealth covers a unique and varied subsoil: volcanic rocks and notably basalts, limestone, quartz, pink granites, schists, iron cast irons… The idea was born from Jason’s meeting with the Samos Wine Cooperative. Patrick Bouju soon joined the project. The five vintages of Sous le Végétal—Livia, Hüpnos, Octave, Palli & Genesia and Auguste—are produced on around sixty plots of Samos Muscat à petits grains (and Avgoustiatis for the red vintage), between 400 and 910 meters above sea level. Each plot is vinified separately. For vinification, four types of containers are used: amphorae, concrete eggs, stainless steel vats and 500-liter barrels. Each locality is vinified in at least two of the four containers and the aging takes place in black bottles sealed with wax. No added sulfur, no filtration: Samos' winemakers are rediscovering wine as it was made in their childhood. This is one of the wonders of natural wine: it allows, through the most innovative projects, to reconnect with forgotten traditions.
Sous le Végétal
Octave blanc 2019 Polo & Pan edition, Culinaries X YARD Exclusive
2900
€29,00
Unit price perSous le Végétal
Octave blanc 2019 Polo & Pan edition, Culinaries X YARD Exclusive
2900
€29,00
Unit price perOctave blanc 2019 Polo & Pan edition, Sous le Végétal - CULINARIES EXCLUSIVE
How does a collaboration between the duo Polo & Pan and Culinaries' Sous le Végétal project come about? DJs Paul Armand-Delille and Alexandre Grynszpan – aka Polo & Pan – are sensitive to the values conveyed by so-called natural wines: an infinite palette of flavors, organic and biodynamic agriculture, respect for the soil and terroirs, no added chemical inputs... At Culinaries, natural wine is our flagship. During a tasting at our place, it was a revelation: the artists fell in love with Octave 2019. The partnership was born!
Some information about the vintage
The wine
Okto, in Greek, is the number eight. When a winemaker grows vines on a mountainside, he must adapt to the relief and create terraces: the grapes that make up Octave grow on eight different terraces. And so it was named.
A dry white made from small-grain muscat from Samos, it faithfully conveys to the glass the mineral expression of the island's rocks. The schist brings the salinity, the quartz the freshness (acidity), the volcanic rocks the austerity and the limestone the tension. The Muscat's iodine aromas are elegant, avoiding the heavy side of the grape variety. A complex and taut wine, prolonged by a mineral finish, Octave flourishes in a carafe and has strong aging potential.
Sous le Végétal, its island and its winemakers
Jason Ligas and Patrick Bouju, two leading figures in natural wine, are at the helm of the Culinaries Sous le Végétal estate, located on Samos, a volcanic and richly wooded island in the North Aegean archipelago. More precisely, the plots from which the Octave cuvée is made are located in the villages of Pagondas and Platanos, on the foothills and slopes of Mount Karvounis. The soils are schistose, limestone, quartzose, and basalt.
The Vines
The grape variety is Muscat à petits grains de Samos, grown organically in conversion to permaculture. The vines, pruned in the goblet style, are harvested by hand in the early morning, from July 23rd to September 15th.
Vinification
Free-run juice obtained by crushing, vinification without pumping over, aeration, or stabilization. Only settling and topping up are performed. Half of the wine is vinified in 750-liter amphorae and half in 1,400-liter Noblot concrete vats. The wine is unfiltered and free-run, bottled by gravity and transferred by peristaltic pump into black bottles, ensuring optimal aging. Aged in bottles with organic paraffin-free corks, sealed with a mixture of paraffin and black beeswax.
Want to enjoy at the bar?
Our YARD bars and restaurants also offer this vintage! Learn more about our locations
Food and wine pairing
Perfect pairing with natural oysters or seafood!
Food and wine pairing mets-musique
Without a doubt, the latest album Cyclorama by Polo & Pan themselves!
Hüpnos White 2018
Hüpnos ("sleep" in Greek) owes its name to the slopes of the dormant volcano on which its vineyard terraces are located, harvested at night. This dry white wine is produced from two remarkably austere vineyards. A macerated wine, it offers great mineral freshness and rich fruit, extended by notes of candied fruit.
Where?
On the slopes of an extinct volcano, in the Agii Sarandides area, and on Mount Karvounis. Basalt and limestone soils.
The vines
Muscat à petit grain from Samos, grown organically in conversion to permaculture. The vines are pruned in goblet form. Manual harvesting at night, in order to preserve the freshness of the polyphenols and ensure perfect maceration.
Vinification
Free-run juice obtained by maceration in stainless steel vats by diffusion for forty days, whole bunches. Vinification without aeration or stabilization, only settling, pumping over and topping up are carried out. Vinification in 500-liter Stockinger barrels. Wine without additives, unfiltered, bottled by gravity and transferred by peristaltic pump into black bottles ensuring aging. Aged in bottles with organic cork without paraffin, sealed with a mixture of paraffin and black beeswax.
Auguste Red 2018
Auguste is the Roman emperor, and it's also the grape variety. The only dry red in the project, it reflects the salinity of the schist and the freshness and acidity of the quartz. Its cherry and red fruit aromas remain elegant and taut, with rich tannins. A long, full wine with a saline finish. Decanting is recommended.
Where?
Village of Pagondas, on the foothills of Mount Karvounis, not far from the Heraion of Samos. Schist and quartz soils. The wine is made from a blend of
four types of rock on two plots.
The vines
The avgoustiatis grape variety ("the august") is interplanted with the muscats of the Livia cuvée, another reason for its name. Avgoustiatis is a rare variety, the first red grape variety harvested in Greece. It is grown organically in conversion to permaculture. The vines, pruned in goblet form, are harvested by hand on the morning of August 15th.
Vinification
Free-run juice obtained by maceration in stainless steel vats by diffusion for forty days, whole bunches. No aeration or stabilization: only settling, pumping over and topping up are carried out. Half of the vinification is in 500-liter Stockinger barrels and half in ovoid concrete vats. Wine without additives, unfiltered, bottled by gravity and transferred by peristaltic pump into black bottles ensuring aging. Aged in bottles with organic cork without paraffin, sealed with a mixture of paraffin and black beeswax.
Livia (exclusive vintage) White 2022,
Sous le Végétal
Livia is an organic, biodynamic, and natural dry white wine from the island of Samos (Greece) whose mineral profile reflects the salinity of schist and the freshness of quartz. It is part of Patrick Bouju's "Sous le Végétal" project, exclusively for Culinaries. The iodized aromas of the Muscat à petits grains are elegant, refined, and persistent, without the heaviness that this grape variety sometimes presents. Livia is a long and full-bodied wine, prolonged by a delicious finish. Decanting is recommended. It will shine as an accompaniment to high-end seafood products such as smoked salmon from Lionel Durot or with the specialties of Caviar de Neuvic.
Cultivation and vinification
The vines, pruned in goblet form, are cultivated using organic farming and in conversion to permaculture on schist, quartz and limestone soils not far from the village of Pagondas, on the foothills of Mount Karvounis. The harvest is destemmed before maceration, a light crushing allows the extraction of the free-run juice which ferments without pumping over, aeration or stabilization. Only settling and topping up are carried out. Vinification is carried out half in 500-liter Stockinger barrels and half in 5,000-liter stainless steel vats. Livia is a natural wine without additives, unfiltered, bottled by gravity and aged in black bottles sealed with wax.
Learn more about Sous le Végétal
Beneath the plant lies the mineral: this is the meaning of this concept of natural vintages exclusively for Culinaries, created in Greece, on the island of Samos, by a team gathered around Patrick Bouju. Sous le Végétal also takes under its wing the vintages A la Natural signed Patrick Bouju.
History
Sous le Végétal marks the rebirth of the thousand-year-old vineyard of this island in the eastern Aegean Sea with its dense, wooded vegetation. This rich plant life covers a unique and varied subsoil: volcanic rocks (basalts), limestone, quartz, pink granites, schists, iron cast iron... In Sous le Végétal, the winemakers of Samos rediscover the wine they made in their childhood, proving once again that natural wine allows, through innovative projects, to reconnect with forgotten traditions.
Grape varieties and vinification
Four of the seven vintages of Sous le Végétal — Livia, Hüpnos, Octave, Palli & Genesia and Auguste — are produced on around sixty plots of Samos muscat à petits grains between 400 and 910 meters above sea level. The other vintages, Auguste, Alexandre and Sémélé, are respectively based on avgoustiatis, asyrtiko and a blend of Samos muscat and avgoustiatis. Each plot is vinified separately. Four types of winemaking containers are used: amphorae, concrete eggs, stainless steel vats, and 500-liter barrels. Each plot is vinified in at least two of the four containers, and the wine is aged in black, wax-sealed bottles. No sulfur is added or filtration is performed.
Palli & Genesià White 2018
The name of this cuvée evokes a rebirth: this is the meaning, in Greek, of the word palingenesià ("new birth"). It is, in fact, an abandoned mountain vineyard that begins a second life thanks to Jason's team: a resurrected vine. It is a maceration wine of great finesse and beautiful minerality, with all the freshness of the high-altitude vine.
Where?
The vineyard, located in the village of Platanos, on the slopes of Mount Karvounis, rests on a pink granite subsoil.
The vines
Small-grain Muscat of Samos, cultivated organically in conversion to permaculture. The vines are pruned in goblet form and the harvest is entirely manual.
Vinification
Free-run juice obtained by maceration in stainless steel vats by diffusion for forty days, whole bunches. Vinification without aeration or stabilization; only settling, pumping over and topping up are carried out. Vinification in 750-liter amphorae. Wine without additives, unfiltered, bottled by gravity and transferred by peristaltic pump into black bottles ensuring aging. Aged in bottles with organic cork stopper without paraffin, sealed with a mixture of paraffin and black beeswax.
Octave (exclusive vintage) White 2022,
Sous le Végétal
Octave is an organic, biodynamic, and natural dry white wine from the terroir of the island of Samos, in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is a vintage belonging to the Sous le Végétal project, exclusively for Culinaries, created by Patrick Bouju on the island of Samos (Greece). Octave is made entirely from Samos small grain muscat grown in the localities of Pagondas, Karvounis and Platanos — eight plots from four terroirs, okto meaning “eight” in Greek.
Eight plots, four terroirs
Octave reflects the mineral variety of the island of Samos through these eight plots from which it comes: the salinity of the limestone, the freshness of the quartz, the austerity of the basalt and the tension of the schist. The iodized aromas of the muscat remain elegant, avoiding the heaviness of the grape variety. Octave is a complex natural wine that extends into a mineral finish. It will flourish in a carafe and will be very comfortable with seafood products such as the specialties of Saumon de France (smoked fish and rillettes) or oysters from Yvonnick Jegat or from the Ferme marine d’Artouan.
In the vineyard and at the cellar
The vines are harvested by hand in the early morning, and the grapes are macerated in whole bunches. The free-run juice is vinified without pumping over, aeration, or stabilization. Only settling and topping up are carried out. Fermentation takes place in 750-liter amphorae and 1,400-liter concrete eggs. Octave is without additives, unfiltered, and bottled by gravity; the black bottles are used for aging and maturation. Around the (organic) cap, the closure is made of paraffin and black beeswax.
Learn more about Sous le Végétal
Under the plant lies the mineral: this is the meaning of this concept of natural vintages exclusively from Culinaries, created in Greece, on the island of Samos, by a team gathered around Patrick Bouju. Sous le Végétal also takes under its wing the vintages A la Natural signed Patrick Bouju.
History
Sous le Végétal marks the rebirth of the thousand-year-old vineyard of this island in the eastern Aegean Sea with its dense, wooded vegetation. This rich plant life covers a unique and varied subsoil: volcanic rocks (basalts), limestone, quartz, pink granites, schists, iron cast iron... In Sous le Végétal, the winemakers of Samos rediscover the wine they made in their childhood, proving once again that natural wine allows, through innovative projects, to reconnect with forgotten traditions.
Grape varieties and vinification
Four of the seven vintages of Sous le Végétal — Livia, Hüpnos, Octave, Palli & Genesia and Auguste — are produced on around sixty plots of Samos muscat à petits grains between 400 and 910 meters above sea level. The other vintages, Auguste, Alexandre and Sémélé, are respectively based on avgoustiatis, asyrtiko and a blend of Samos muscat and avgoustiatis. Each plot is vinified separately. Four types of winemaking containers are used: amphorae, concrete eggs, stainless steel vats, and 500-liter barrels. Each plot is vinified in at least two of the four containers, and the wine is aged in black, wax-sealed bottles. No sulfites are added, and no filtration is used.
Auguste (exclusive vintage) Red 2022
Sous le Végétal
Organic and natural, Auguste takes its name from the indigenous Greek avgoustiatis grape variety, from which it is made entirely. It is, for now, the only dry red wine from the Sous le Végétal project, led on the Greek island of Samos by Patrick Bouju. The vines grow on the foothills of Mount Karvounis, not far from the village of Pagondas. The wine is a blend of four types of rock on two plots. The avgoustiatis grape variety ("the august") is a rare variety, the first red grape variety harvested in Greece. It is grown organically in conversion to permaculture. The vines, pruned in goblet form, are harvested by hand on the early morning of August 15th.
Vinification
The wine is first obtained by a forty-day maceration of whole bunches in stainless steel vats. Half of the vinification is done in 500-liter Stockinger barrels and the other half in ovoid concrete vats. This wine from the Samos terroir is completely additive-free, unfiltered and bottled by gravity. The black bottle ensures the wine ages and the closure is made with a cork sealed with a mixture of paraffin and black beeswax.
Tasting
Auguste is a light red wine with no additives or added sulfites which, through its Mediterranean nature, recalls something of the reds of the Jura: characteristic earthy and mineral notes, lots of character - prune, clove, anise, vanilla, cherry jam, rich tannins and, on the finish, a salinity due to the mineral-rich soils (particularly schist and limestone) of the island of Samos. The fruity notes remain taut and elegant. Decanting is recommended. Auguste will enjoy all the meze and hors d'oeuvres from the land or the sea. A charcuterie from Maison Montalet or from Ferme de Mayrinhac (for example a galabard black pudding) will suit him like a glove, or even smoked scallops (Salmon de France).
Learn more about Sous le Végétal
Under the plant lies the mineral: this is the meaning of this concept of natural vintages exclusively from Culinaries, created in Greece, on the island of Samos, by a team gathered around Patrick Bouju. Sous le Végétal also takes under its wing the vintages A la Natural signed Patrick Bouju.
History
Sous le Végétal marks the rebirth of the thousand-year-old vineyard of this island in the eastern Aegean Sea with its dense, wooded vegetation. This rich plant life covers a unique and varied subsoil: volcanic rocks (basalts), limestone, quartz, pink granites, schists, iron cast iron... In Sous le Végétal, the winemakers of Samos rediscover the wine they made in their childhood, proving once again that natural wine allows, through innovative projects, to reconnect with forgotten traditions.
Grape varieties and vinification
Four of the seven vintages of Sous le Végétal — Livia, Hüpnos, Octave, Palli & Genesia and Auguste — are produced on around sixty plots of Samos muscat à petits grains between 400 and 910 meters above sea level. The other vintages, Auguste, Alexandre and Sémélé, are respectively based on avgoustiatis, asyrtiko and a blend of Samos muscat and avgoustiatis. Each plot is vinified separately. Four types of winemaking containers are used: amphorae, concrete eggs, stainless steel vats, and 500-liter barrels. Each plot is vinified in at least two of the four containers, and the wine is aged in black, wax-sealed bottles. No sulfur is added or filtration is performed.
Hupnos (exclusive vintage) White 2022
Sous le Végétal
Made from small-grain Muscat, Hüpnos is an organic, biodynamic, and natural wine from the terroir of Samos, a Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea. This sulfite-free wine is one of five white vintages from Patrick Bouju's "Sous le Végétal" project, exclusively for Culinaries. Its name is inspired by its night harvest, hüpnos meaning "sleep" in Greek. This type of harvest is designed to preserve the freshness of the polyphenols for perfect maceration. The muscats are harvested in the Agii Sarandides and Karvounis areas on the slopes of the volcano that occupies the center of the island. They were obtained using organic farming methods in conversion to permaculture. Pruned in goblet form, they grow on basalt, granite, and limestone soils.
Vinification
The Hüpnos harvest macerates in whole bunches for a month. Vinification is carried out without aeration or stabilization; only pumping over, topping up, and settling are carried out. Fermentation takes place in 500-liter Stockinger barrels. Hüpnos is an unfiltered wine, with no additives or added sulfites, bottled by gravity, and aged in black bottles sealed with black beeswax and paraffin.
Tasting
On the palate, Hüpnos surprises with its fruity freshness while expressing its nocturnal origin and the mineral austerity of its terroir. An aroma of candied fruit diffuses on the palate. The deliciousness and mineral freshness are both present. Decanting is recommended, and as an accompaniment, try grilled fish, white meats (for example a roast piece of Black Pork of Bigorre or Ferme de Mayrinhac.
Learn more about Sous le Végétal
Under the plant lies the mineral: this is the meaning of this concept of natural vintages exclusively from Culinaries, created in Greece, on the island of Samos, by a team gathered around Patrick Bouju. Sous le Végétal also takes under its wing the vintages A la Natural signed Patrick Bouju.
History
Sous le Végétal marks the rebirth of the thousand-year-old vineyard of this island in the eastern Aegean Sea with its dense, wooded vegetation. This rich plant life covers a unique and varied subsoil: volcanic rocks (basalts), limestone, quartz, pink granites, schists, cast iron ferrous… In Sous le Végétal, the winemakers of Samos rediscover the wine they made in their childhood, proving once again that natural wine allows, through innovative projects, to reconnect with forgotten traditions.
Grape varieties and vinification
Four of the seven vintages of Sous le Végétal — Livia, Hüpnos, Octave, Palli & Genesia and Auguste — are produced on around sixty plots of Samos muscat à petits grains between 400 and 910 meters above sea level. The other vintages, Auguste, Alexandre and Sémélé, are respectively based on avgoustiatis, asyrtiko and a blend of Samos muscat and avgoustiatis. Each plot is vinified separately. Four types of vinification containers are used: amphorae, concrete eggs, stainless steel vats and barrels of 500 liters. Each plot is vinified in at least two of the four containers and aged in black bottles sealed with wax. No sulfur is added or filtration is performed.
Sémélé Rosé 2022
Sémélé, exclusively from Culinaries, is an organic and natural rosé wine from the island of Samos (Greece) that is part of Patrick Bouju's Sous le Végétal project in partnership with Culinaries. Its name alludes to the myth of Semele, mistress of Zeus and mother of Dionysus, god of Wine and Intoxication.
In the Vineyard
Sous le Végétal vintages are primarily based on Samos Muscat à petits grains and, more rarely, on other local grape varieties. Here, the red Avgoustiatis grape variety is blended in equal parts with Muscat. The vines are managed biodynamically and in permaculture.
In the cellar
A blend of avgoustiatis (a very common red grape variety in Greece) macerated for a week and directly pressed muscat, all organic, Sémélé is neither filtered nor fined.
Tasting
With its deep, lively and seductive color, its fruitiness of strawberry and raspberry and its lovely tannins, Sémélé is a natural rosé that leans towards a light red. It will go well with tapas, mezes, starters and Mediterranean dishes: we recommend pairing it with taramas by Lionel Durot, with smoked fish or seafood hors d'oeuvres by Saumon de France, or with the delicious poutargue de Martigues by Frédéric Paez.
Learn more about Sous le Végétal
Under the plant lies the mineral: this is the meaning of this concept of natural and additive-free vintages exclusively for Culinaries, produced in Greece, on the island of Samos, by a team gathered around Patrick Bouju. Sous le Végétal also takes under its wing the vintages A la Natural signed by Patrick Bouju.
History (and geography)
Sous le Végétal marks the rebirth of the thousand-year-old vineyard of this island in the eastern Aegean Sea with its dense, wooded vegetation. This rich plant life covers a unique and varied subsoil: volcanic rocks (basalts), limestone, quartz, pink granites, schists, iron cast iron... In Sous le Végétal, the winemakers of Samos rediscover the wine they made in their childhood, proving once again that natural wine allows, through innovative projects, to reconnect with forgotten traditions.
Grape varieties and vinification
Four of the seven vintages of Sous le Végétal — Livia, Hüpnos, Octave, Palli & Genesia and Auguste — are produced on around sixty plots of Samos muscat à petits grains between 400 and 910 meters above sea level. The other vintages, Auguste, Alexandre and Sémélé, are respectively based on avgoustiatis or asyrtiko, blended or not with Samos muscat. Each plot is vinified separately. Four types of winemaking containers are used: amphorae, concrete eggs, stainless steel vats, and 500-liter barrels. Each lieu-dit is vinified in at least two of the four containers, and the wine is aged in black, wax-sealed bottles. No sulfites are added or filtration is performed.
Hüpnos White 2019
Hüpnos ("sleep" in Greek) owes its name to the slopes of the dormant volcano on which its vineyard terraces are located, harvested at night. This dry white wine is produced from two remarkably austere vineyards. A macerated wine, it offers great mineral freshness and rich fruit, prolonged by notes of candied fruit.
Where?
On the slopes of an extinct volcano, in the Agii Sarandides area, and on Mount Karvounis. Basalt and limestone soils.
The vines
Muscat à petit grain from Samos, grown organically in conversion to permaculture. The vines are pruned in goblet form. Manual harvesting at night, in order to preserve the freshness of the polyphenols and ensure perfect maceration.
Vinification
Free-run juice obtained by maceration in stainless steel vats by diffusion for forty days, whole bunches. Vinification without aeration or stabilization, only settling, pumping over and topping up are carried out. Vinification in 500-liter Stockinger barrels. Wine without additives, unfiltered, bottled by gravity and transferred by peristaltic pump into black bottles ensuring aging. Aged in bottles with organic cork without paraffin, sealed with a mixture of paraffin and black beeswax.
Livia (exclusive vintage) White 2023,
Sous le Vegetal
A Culinaries bestseller in its previous vintages, the Livia 2023 from Sous le Végétal (Exclusive Culinaries Estate) offers a vibrant version of Muscat Petit Grain, grown on schist soils and vinified with destemmed maceration for greater complexity and finesse.
A lively and mineral white
Livia expresses all the richness of the Samos terroir, with beautiful tension and a rich aromatic palette.
An aromatic nose and a saline palate
On the nose, notes of exotic fruits, citrus, and white flowers. On the palate, the attack is fresh and tense, with a lingering minerality and a saline finish.
How to enjoy Livia?
Served at 10-12°C, Livia pairs perfectly with oysters, fish carpaccio, or vegetable dishes with fresh herbs. Its aging potential of 5 to 10 years will allow for a beautiful aromatic development.
Palli et Genesia White 2019,
Fine, delicate, fresh, and deliciously muscatel-like, Palli & Genesià expresses the minerality of the granite soil (pink granite) from which it comes. It is one of five white wines in the Sous le Végétal series, and like three others, it is made from small-grain muscat native to the island of Samos (an archipelago in the eastern Aegean). Palli & Genesià Genesià comes from vines planted near the village of Platanos, pruned into goblet-shaped rows on an old vineyard, abandoned and brought back to life—hence the name of the cuvée, derived from palingenesià, “rebirth” in Greek. The vines are cultivated organically in conversion to permaculture, without any additives in the vineyard or cellar, and the harvest is manual. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats and terracotta amphorae. The wine is bottled by gravity and sealed with a black beeswax cork. The black glass bottle guarantees aging. This wine will pair perfectly with seafood and Eastern Mediterranean meze.
Find out more
Beneath the plant lies the mineral: this is the meaning of this concept of natural cuvées created in Greece, on the island of Samos, by a team of friends gathered around winemakers Jason Ligas and Patrick Bouju. The successful venture marks a renaissance for the ancient vineyards of this island in the North Aegean Sea, which owes its dense, wooded vegetation to various nicknames received in Antiquity, from Dryoussa (“covered with oaks”) to Kyparissia (“covered with cypresses”) and Melamphyllos (“With dark foliage”). This natural wealth covers a unique and varied subsoil: volcanic rocks, including basalt, limestone, quartz, pink granite, schist, iron cast iron, etc. The idea was born from Jason’s meeting with the Samos Wine Cooperative. Patrick Bouju soon joined the project. The five vintages of Sous le Végétal — Livia, Hüpnos, Octave, Palli & Genesia, and Auguste — are produced on around sixty plots of Samos Muscat à petits grains (and Avgoustiatis for the red vintage), between 400 and 910 meters above sea level. Each plot is vinified separately. Four types of containers are used for vinification: amphorae, concrete eggs, stainless steel vats, and 500-liter barrels. Each plot is vinified in at least two of the four containers, and the wine is aged in black bottles sealed with wax. No added sulfur, no filtration: the winemakers of Samos rediscover wine as it was made in their childhood. This is one of the wonders of natural wine: it allows, through the most innovative projects, to reconnect with forgotten traditions. Sous le Végétal also takes under its wing the A la Natural cuvées by Patrick Bouju.
Auguste Red 2019,
Sous le Végétal
Auguste is the only dry red wine from the Sous le Végétal project. It takes its name from the indigenous Greek avgoustiatis grape variety, from which it is made entirely. It is a light wine that, through its Mediterranean nature, recalls something of the reds of the Jura: a characteristic earthy and mineral note, plenty of character—prune, clove, anise, vanilla, cherry jam, rich tannins, and, on the finish, a salinity due to the mineral-rich soils (particularly schist and limestone) of the island of Samos. The fruity notes remain taut and elegant. Decanting is recommended. The vines grow on the foothills of Mount Karvounis, not far from the village of Pagondas. The wine is a blend of four types of rock on two plots. The Avgoustiatis ('the august') grape variety is a rare variety, the first red grape variety harvested in Greece. It is cultivated organically in conversion to permaculture. The vines, pruned in the 'goblet' style, are harvested by hand on the morning of August 15th. The wine is first obtained by a forty-day maceration of whole bunches in stainless steel vats. Half of the vinification is done in 500-liter Stockinger barrels and the other half in ovoid concrete vats. The wine is completely additive-free, unfiltered, and bottled by gravity. The black bottle ensures the wine ages and the closure is made with a cork sealed with a mixture of paraffin and black beeswax.
To find out more
Under the plant lies the mineral: this is the meaning of this concept of natural vintages created in Greece, on the island of Samos, by a team of friends gathered around the winemakers Jason Ligas and Patrick Bouju. The successful enterprise marks a renaissance of the thousand-year-old vineyard of this island in the North Aegean Sea, which owes its dense and woody vegetation to various nicknames received in Antiquity, from Dryoussa (“covered with oaks”) to Kyparissia (“covered with cypresses”) and Melamphyllos (“With dark foliage”). This natural wealth covers a unique and varied subsoil: volcanic rocks and notably basalts, limestone, quartz, pink granites, schists, iron cast irons… The idea was born from Jason’s meeting with the Samos Wine Cooperative. Patrick Bouju soon joined the project. The five vintages of Sous le Végétal—Livia, Hüpnos, Octave, Palli & Genesia and Auguste—are produced on around sixty plots of Samos Muscat à petits grains (and Avgoustiatis for the red vintage), between 400 and 910 meters above sea level. Each plot is vinified separately. For vinification, four types of containers are used: amphorae, concrete eggs, stainless steel vats and 500-liter barrels. Each locality is vinified in at least two of the four containers and the aging takes place in black bottles sealed with wax. No added sulfur, no filtration: Samos' winemakers are rediscovering wine as it was made in their childhood. This is one of the wonders of natural wine: it allows, through the most innovative projects, to reconnect with forgotten traditions. Sous le Végétal also takes under its wing the A la Natural vintages by Patrick Bouju.
Octave (exclusive vintage) White 2023,
Sous le Vegetal
Sous le Végétal, our own iconic estate on the island of Samos, delivers with Octave 2023 a pure and vibrant interpretation of Muscat Petit Grain. A new vintage of this already iconic vintage, this bottle is produced using whole-bunch maceration, this white wine reveals a fascinating complexity, both floral and mineral.
An exceptional Muscat, between freshness and depth
Thanks to natural vinification, without artifice, and meticulous work on indigenous yeasts, this wine reveals the full expression of the Samos terroir. Whole bunch maceration gives it texture and structure, while maintaining superb tension.
An expressive nose and a chiseled palate
The nose reveals intense notes of white flowers, citrus fruits and sweet spices, accompanied by a beautiful saline minerality. On the palate, it offers a fresh and ample attack, with a beautiful acidity and a lingering finish on notes of candied zest and aromatic herbs.
How to enjoy Octave?
Ideal at 10-12°C and decanted before tasting, Octave will perfectly accompany seafood, fish ceviche or poultry with citrus fruits. Its aging potential of 5 to 10 years will allow it to evolve towards even more complex aromas.
Auguste (exclusive vintage) Red 2023,
Sous le Végétal
With Auguste 2023, Sous le Végétal enhances the rare Avgoustatis grape variety, a native Greek grape with deep, spicy aromas. Thanks to a month of whole-bunch maceration, this red wine reveals beautiful complexity and a silky texture.
An intense and distinguished Mediterranean red
Grown on schist soils, this wine reveals a fine tannic structure and beautiful freshness, perfectly balancing power and finesse.
A spicy nose and an elegant palate
The nose reveals notes of black cherry, spices, and garrigue, typical of Mediterranean grape varieties. On the palate, it is distinguished by its beautiful tension, velvety tannins, and a long, mineral finish.
How to enjoy Auguste?
Served at 16-18°C, Auguste is the perfect accompaniment to a leg of lamb, a spicy tagine, or roasted vegetables with herbs. With an aging potential of 5 to 10 years, it will gain in complexity and suppleness.
Samos Blanc 1958, Samos Cooperative
Here's a gem, a real gem. The Samos Cooperative is one of the oldest wine cooperatives in Greece, supplying all of Europe with sweet Muscat for several centuries. It has preserved this masterpiece, this sweet white made from Muscat Petit Grain harvested and vinified on the island, for sixty-five solid years, which is why it takes on the appearance of a red. This is because it is very old and its color has evolved over time, from amber gold to dark mahogany. Normal. Sumptuously aged and patinated, caressed by time, it is endowed with an uncommon aromatic power. This great cuvée for laying down has all the virtues of a very old sweet wine: vibrant, sweet and saline, superbly fresh, with a beautiful aromatic structure and great length. This meditation wine, which reveals all the authenticity of the island's mineral and volcanic terroir, is a perfect example of what time can do to a great muscat. It was on the occasion of the Sous le Végétal project that this nugget without additives, added sulfites or any other additives was offered to us by the Samos Cooperative. It was this same wine, if you refer to the history of the project, that inspired Jason Ligas with the idea.
Learn more
Beneath the vegetation lies the mineral: such is the meaning of this concept of natural cuvées created in Greece, on the island of Samos, by a team of friends gathered around winemakers Jason Ligas and Patrick Bouju. The successful venture marks a renaissance of the thousand-year-old vineyard of this island in the North Aegean Sea, which owes its dense, wooded vegetation to various nicknames received in Antiquity, from Dryoussa ("covered with oaks") to Kyparissia ("covered with cypresses"), by way of Melamphyllos ("Dark-leaved"). This natural wealth covers a unique and varied subsoil: volcanic rocks and notably basalts, limestone, quartz, pink granites, schists, iron cast irons… The idea was born from Jason’s meeting with the Samos Wine Cooperative. Patrick Bouju soon joined the project. The five vintages of Sous le Végétal — Livia, Hüpnos, Octave, Palli & Genesia, Alexandre and Auguste — are produced on around sixty plots of Samos Muscat à petits grains (as well as Avgoustiatis for the red vintage and Asyrtiko for Alexandre), between 400 and 910 meters above sea level. Each plot is vinified separately. For vinification, four types of containers are used: amphorae, concrete eggs, stainless steel vats and 500-liter barrels. Each lieu-dit is vinified in at least two of the four containers and the aging takes place in black bottles sealed with wax. No sulfur is added, no filtration: the winemakers of Samos rediscover wine as it was made in their childhood. This is one of the wonders of natural wine: it allows, through the most innovative projects, to reconnect with forgotten traditions. Sous le Végétal also takes under its wing the A la Natural cuvées signed Patrick Bouju, without forgetting the 1958 vintage Muscat of Samos which inspired the project to the winemakers.
Sémélé (exclusive vintage) Rosé 2023,
Sous le Végétal
With Sémélé 2023, Sous le Végétal revisits the notion of rosé by offering a cuvée halfway between a light red and a structured rosé. A bold blend of 50% Avgoustatis macerated for a week and 50% Muscat Petit Grain pressed directly, it reveals beautiful aromatic intensity and vibrant acidity.
A rosé off the beaten track
This wine is distinguished by its deep, vivid color, revealing its structure and aromatic intensity. The short maceration of Avgoustatis gives it fine tannins and a nice length on the palate.
A fruity nose and a balanced palate
The nose explodes with notes of strawberry, raspberry and crisp red fruits. On the palate, the attack is fresh, the structure light but persistent, with a tangy and dynamic finish.
How to enjoy Sémélé?
At 10-12°C and decanted before tasting, Sémélé will accompany summer grills, Mediterranean dishes and soft cheeses. With an aging potential of more than 10 years, it will gain complexity with time.
Hupnos (exclusive vintage) White 2023,
Sous le Vegetal
With Hupnos 2023, Sous le Végétal offers a bold vintage where Muscat Petit Grain flourishes through a month-long maceration. A Culinaries bestseller, this powerful and gastronomic white wine seduces with its silky texture and aromatic depth.
A captivating and structured Muscat
Produced from vines grown on granite soils, Hupnos benefits from patient vinification that enhances the richness of the grape variety. The prolonged maceration gives it a beautiful tannic substance, while maintaining a remarkable freshness.
A complex nose and a full palate
Upon opening, it reveals aromas of apricot, honey and sweet spices, accompanied by a beautiful minerality. On the palate, the substance is generous, structured by a chiseled acidity and a long and saline finish.
How to enjoy Hupnos?
Served at 10-12°C and decanted, Hupnos pairs perfectly with fish in sauce, mature cheeses or dishes with Asian influences. With an aging potential of more than 10 years, it will evolve towards even deeper and honeyed notes.
