Gift Ideas for Rookies

Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs Malvasia Sparkling White 2020

Clos Lentiscus
This sparkling cava from Catalonia is unrivaled in its distinction and stands up to even the most respectable champagnes, despite being classified as a Vino de Mesa (table wine). Made entirely from Malvasia, an ancient Mediterranean grape variety that thrives particularly well on the limestone soils of Sitges, this festive wine offers fine, creamy bubbles and a pale gold color, deeper than most wines of its style. Its olfactory notes of white fruits and lemon peel, its creamy, intense, and fresh flavor with tropical accents have everything to seduce. Its aromatic persistence is remarkable. It can be tried with foie gras, for example, but also with so many other delectable things!

To find out more
Purity, elegance, and a crisp minerality due to limestone characterize the productions of Clos Lentiscus. The note of controlled oxidation, when it is felt, does not dominate the tasting, and the wines are never deviant. The cavas are known for being exuberant, but those of Clos Lentiscus never have more than two grams of residual sugar per liter. The estate also produces still wines, red, white, and rosé. Located in Sitges, Catalonia, Clos Lentiscus is a winery in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park. Manel Avinyo and his brother Joan took over the family estate, renamed Clos Lentiscus by Manel. Even though Barcelona is only a half-hour drive away, the beauty of the landscape is striking and the immersion in nature is total: Mediterranean forests rub shoulders with Catalan scrubland (thyme, rosemary, rockrose, mastic tree which gave its name to the estate, etc.). The Penedès region also has a long winemaking history. Nestled in its gentle hills is Clos Lentiscus, in the Penedés appellation, on twenty hectares of sandy and clay-limestone soils facing due south at an altitude of 225 meters. According to historical documents, Manel and Joan Avinyo's family has been established there since at least the 14th century. For a long time, the grapes were sold to local cooperatives, but as soon as the two brothers took over the estate, organic and biodynamic farming replaced conventional practices, the entire harvest goes into the house vintages, and organic and biodynamic practices have allowed this beautiful property to regain its former prestige: in the 19th century, its wines were sold in France and as far away as the Americas. Very quickly, Manel received a nickname: The Bubbleman, a tribute to his talent for vinifying cavas, these sparkling whites characteristic of the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, from indigenous varieties for which Catalonia holds the secret: sumoll, ull de llebre, xarel·lo, malvasia of Sitges, cartoixà vermell, cariñena (carignan), accompanied by tempranillo and muscat of Alexandria. The vines are old, some of them centuries old. No synthetic additives are used in the vineyard, and operations such as planting, pruning, de-budding, and harvesting are dictated by the lunar phases. Pollination is facilitated by the presence of beehives; sheep contribute to fertilization and control of the plant cover. Ringo, the white horse, is responsible for working the soil.

Matinada Beer 2022,

Cyclic Beer Farm
Matinada is a dark sour (a dark, dense brown beer) heavily infused with coffee and orange. The coffee is a Colombian chambaku distributed by Nømad Coffee, and the flavoring is complemented by the zest and juice of organic oranges harvested at the family estate in Alt Empordà (Catalonia), as well as Madagascar vanilla pods, a touch of sea salt, and a touch of Palisade Hops. This vintage exhibits pronounced dryness and acidity, with very intense coffee aromas. Matinada is 5.6% ABV.

To find out more
Cyclic Beer Farm is a duo of Barcelona friends, Alberto and Joshua. Based in the Catalan capital, they have two sides to their business: beer (Cyclic Beer) and wine (Cyclic Wine). The beers, inspired by the Belgian model, come in surprising and colorful ranges where expertly measured yeast cocktails and house brews combine with varied macerations of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grape marc from traditional Catalan varieties, the latter taken after the fermentation of their wines — because the second side is the wine, made exclusively from native Catalan grape varieties. Packaged in 75 cl bottles so that everyone can satisfy their thirst, the beers play between classicism and flights of inspiration, in a contrasting and creative way, Catalan style, without forgetting to dare the beer with wine, of course. On classic bases and a Belgian fermentation model, the two brewers-winemakers Joshua and Alberto play with ingredients, aromas, macerations, between cereals, fruits, vegetables or grape skins of Catalan grape varieties, to achieve flavors that are reminiscent of the Obni (unidentified drinkable object). Whether they assert themselves on balance or on a certain managed dissonance, these beers will never leave you indifferent and will reveal their full potential during the summer heat, served well chilled (like their creators).

VNR Vinel lo Ancestral Sparkling Red 2019

Partida Creus
The beautiful light ruby ​​color of VN Vinel lo Ancestral is already tempting, and its low alcohol content (10.5%) is ideal for long aperitifs and large, chilled meals. Sparkling, fruity, and very fresh, with floral and yeasty notes, and a very long finish. Easy to drink, gurgling but with great distinction, VN Vinel·lo Ancestral is a natural sparkling red resulting from a rich and abundant blend of indigenous grape varieties: first Sumoll and Trepat in dominance, followed by Se Samsó (Cinsault), Garrut (Mourvèdre), Ull de Perdiu, Queixal de Llop and Grenache Noir, harvested on predominantly limestone soils. The blend is subject to variation depending on the vintage. After crushing, the musts of the different grape varieties ferment one after the other and are added gradually, thus prolonging the fermentation by indigenous yeasts. The fermentation finishes in the bottle, for ten months, on fine lees. No filtration, no additives, no added sulfites.

Find out more
Partida Creus is an important estate, both from a winemaking and historical perspective—we're talking about the history of the vine in Catalonia. Massimo Marchiori and Antonella Gerosa, originally from Piedmont—and even from the Langhe region, where wine is well-known—first pursued careers as architects in Barcelona. But the wine bug bit them, and they soon abandoned the big city and its sophistication for the vineyards of southern Catalonia, in Bonastre in Baix-Penedés. There they found a wealth of abandoned vineyards planted with a dizzying diversity of traditional Catalan grape varieties, which they passionately revived to save these varieties—and their wines—from oblivion. On their part, it’s not just a matter of saving heritage, no: it’s a matter of taste and nature. Natural wines, which they will continue to make from now on on these sandy, poor, clay-limestone or clay-gravelly, poor and poorly irrigated lands, where the vines suffer to give their best juice. Massimo and Antonella practice organic, biodynamic, entirely manual and natural viticulture in order to give new life to these wines. Vinyater, sumoll, garrut, monastrell, ull de perdiu, ull de llebre, sumoll, queixal de llop, cariñena, trepat, ceciat parent, maccabeu, parellada, pansé, vinel·lo, bobal, cartoixà vermell or xarel·lo: it is a true conservatory of the native Catalan grape varieties that Partida Creus cares for. Moscatel, Grenache, Merlot, and Cabernet (among others) are also grown here. Few wineries can boast growing so many different grape varieties. The wines reflect this diversity, with winemakers striving to best convey the signature of the soil and the grape variety: single-varietal wines are common among them, alongside extensive blends, all in the styles dear to Catalonia: still wine, "ancestral" sparkling wine, and even vermouth. The bottles themselves are works of art: bare glass, simply marked with two large stenciled initials that denote the cuvée. The wines, fresh, vibrant, lush but always straightforward and impeccably juicy and fruity, breathe life. The arrival of a Partida Creus at the table always elicits cries of satisfaction.

Trepat Red 2019,

Cyclic Beer Farm

Cyclic Beer Farm is a duo of friends from Barcelona, Alberto and Joshua. Based in the Catalan capital, they have two sides to their business: beer (Cyclic Beer) and wine (Cyclic Wine). The beers, inspired by the Belgian model, are available in surprising and colorful ranges where expertly measured yeast cocktails and house brews combine with varied macerations of fruits, vegetables, herbs and grape marc from traditional Catalan varieties, the latter taken after the fermentation of their wines - because the second part is the wine, made exclusively from native Catalan grape varieties. As merchant winemakers, Alberto and Joshua themselves harvest by hand from organic wineries throughout Catalonia and bring the harvest to their winery-brewery workshop in La Sagrera (Barcelona). There they sort the grapes, tread them under foot and vat the must using exclusively indigenous yeasts. Depending on the type of wine, skin maceration takes place on the skins and stems for between one and three days for the whites and between six and fifteen days for the reds. The free-run juice is then transferred without pressing into stainless steel tanks where fermentation continues before bottling. The skins and stems, and sometimes part of the juice, are then used for the maceration of saison beers: an interesting synergy between beer and wine. No sulfites are added to the vinification; nothing is added or removed from the wine, which is never filtered. The harvest and other viticultural operations are decided according to the lunar calendar.
The tannins have pride of place in this 100% Trepat red wine (a traditional Catalan grape variety); they assert themselves from the attack with a crisp acidity. Rustic and fruity, invigorating, almost a gurgle (it needs a little time and rest to become fully so). The grapes grow on a clay-limestone plot in Prenafeta (municipality of La Conca de Barberà) and the vines are two years old. The altitude is 400 meters. The harvest, hand-picked, is crushed and then macerated for twelve days on the skins and stalks, with punching down every two days. A second, very gentle crushing precedes the second phase of fermentation in stainless steel vats.

Rosado Cosecha Rosadito Rosé 2019

Bodegas Coruña del Conde
Natural wine without added sulphites.

MUZ Rouge 2021

Partida Creus
Here's a great organic and natural vermouth from Partida Creus, an Iberian classic from Baix-Penedés (Catalonia). Made without additives or sulfites, MUZ Ver-Mut is a fortified sweet wine with plant maceration. Vermouth in the Spanish sense is not a mixology ingredient but a table wine made to accompany tapas and the finest dishes.

Vinification
To achieve this alchemic work that is MUZ Catalan vermouth, Partida Creus brings together a barrel of red wine, another of young wine and a third of dry white wine, all with the addition of a secret blend of macerated aromatic herbs. The rest? That's also a secret.

Tasting
MUZ vermouth from Partida Creus is a fruity, smooth and original treat, to share with friends. Black berries, blackcurrant, blackberry, a fine bitterness and a slight sweet sensation. Packaged in a one-liter bottle, MUZ will pair with all imaginable tapas, zakouskis, mezes and other kemias. We will also like it with Iberian charcuterie or smoked sardines.

Learn more about Partida Creus
Partida Creus is an organic, biodynamic and natural estate in southern Catalonia (Bonastre, Baix-Penedés) cultivated by Massimo Marchiori and Antonella Gerosa, formerly architects in Barcelona. By recovering abandoned vines, they saved a stunning diversity of traditional Catalan grape varieties from oblivion. On these sandy, clay-limestone or clay-gravelly soils, they produce natural wines without added sulphites.

A Catalan ampelothèque
Vinyater, sumoll, garrut, monastrell, ull de perdiu, ull de llebre, sumoll, queixal de llop, cariñena, trepat, ceciat parent, maccabeu, parellada, pansé, vinel·lo, bobal, cartoixà vermell or xarel·lo (among others): it is a true conservatory of native Catalan grape varieties that Partida Creus takes care of in natural mode. The wines reflect this diversity, with the winegrowers striving to best convey the signature of the soil and the grape variety. The wines, fresh, vibrant, lush, and straightforward, breathe life.

The Partida Creus look
Single varietals are common at Partida Creus, alongside blends, all in the styles dear to Catalonia: still wine, sparkling wine (cava), or even vermouth. The bottles are instantly recognizable: plain glass or covered with ivory labels, the vintage being indicated by two large stenciled initials.

Susucaru Rosato Rosé 2020,

Frank Cornelissen
This organic rosé produced under the IGP Terre Siciliane label is made from Nerello Mascalese, Malvasia, Moscadella, and Insolia grapes grown on basalt soils in the biodiverse plots of Frank Cornelissen's vineyard. Its beautiful, bright strawberry color already makes it very seductive; the freshness that emerges on the nose and palate confirms this. Plenty of fruit and a slight bitterness make for this highly sought-after, enjoyable wine.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Es d'aqui Danslezetoiles Red 2016

Jean Louis Pinto

This blend of Braucol, Carignan, and Muscat grown on clay-limestone soils was vinified in amphorae. Notes of candied black fruit and leather complement the fruity and herbaceous notes, much to the delight of natural wine enthusiasts. Plenty of aromatic presence, character, and originality.

Pierra Menta White 2022

Jean-Yves Péron

Pierra Menta is an exceptional organic, biodynamic, and natural dry white wine from Savoie made by Jean-Yves Péron. Classified as a Vin de France, Pierra Menta is made from the Gringet grape variety. The winemaker plans to plant more vines of this ancient variety until he reaches half a hectare.

Vinification

Gringet, which makes up 100% of Pierra Menta, is a white grape variety native to Haute-Savoie, historically linked to the commune of Ayse, near Bonneville. Jean-Yves Péron's vines are planted near Albertville, on a south-facing mica-schist plot. Gringet has long been confined to the Bonneville region and traditionally produces low-proof, high-yield sparkling wines. It is an interesting, fruity, low-alcohol grape variety with notes of quince and strong minerality. Pierra Menta's gringets are macerated for two weeks in carbonic acid, then punched down for two months, and aged for one year in 300-liter barrels.

Tasting

The quince is evident from the initial olfactory and taste, and the minerality supports this note. White fruits, florality, plenty of structure, and a nice acidity. An incredible length, too... We thank Jean-Yves for this and move on to the food and wine pairings: fish, seafood, oysters and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Learn more about Jean-Yves Péron

Jean-Yves Péron is a talented embodiment of the organic, biodynamic and natural renaissance of the Savoyard vineyard, which is based on varied soils and numerous indigenous grape varieties (Jacquère, Altesse, Mondeuse, etc.). At his Chevaline winery in the Bauges region, he vinifies the grapes from his plots in Conflans, near Albertville, and Fréterive, in the Isère valley.

High-altitude biodynamics

Jean-Yves Péron's work follows the principles of minimal intervention. On narrow and steep surfaces, his mountain vines in micro-plots, worked by hand, do not receive any synthetic products, Jean-Yves preferring horsetail and nettle manure. All of Jean-Yves Péron's wines are sulfite-free, made from hand-harvested grapes, vinified in whole bunches and foot-trodden in the vat. For all vintages, the free-run and press are blended, then aged on lees for at least one year, in two- or three-wine barrels, amphorae or tuns, before final blending. They must be stored at a temperature below 18°C. No sulfites are added, or as little as possible, and the wines are not fined or filtered.

Italian-Savoyard trade

Since 2011, a trading activity has allowed Jean-Yves Péron to buy the harvest from neighboring organic winegrowers and to collaborate with winegrowers from Northern Italy: this is the I Vicini series, which allows him to diversify the terroirs and deepen his experiences in winemaking and aging.

Cep Bragelogne Blanc Champagne Brut

Eric Collinet
This Cep cuvée is an organic, biodynamic, and natural white brut champagne (Ecocert, AB, and Eurofeuille certifications) made from 100% Pinot Noir, from the vines of the Éric Collinet estate in Côte des Bar, the southernmost region of Champagne. Since 2014, this estate has been fully certified organic.

Terroir and Vinification
The Pinot Noir vines grow on Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils, bringing minerality and tension to the wines. Harvesting is done by hand. The wines are from the 2018 harvest. Dosage: 3.8 g/l.

An all-terrain champagne
Lively, fresh, and flavorful, this champagne, balanced between minerality and fruitiness, is a complete wine, ready for all combinations and pairings. The nose offers fresh white fruits, apple, and lychee, confirmed on the palate with a superb integration of all the sensations. Great evolving complexity. Pair it with a good meal or fine tapas. We also imagine a marriage of love with raw fish, smoked scallops, smoked salmon, caviar … Enjoy it between 10 and 12 °C.

Learn more about Éric Collinet champagnes
Limousin established in Southern Champagne “for the love of the land and the king of wines”, Éric Collinet devotes himself to viticulture on his land in Les Riceys, in Côte des Bar, combining it with a truffle cultivation activity (Burgundy truffle, Tuber uncinatum). Whether it's vines or mycorrhizal trees, Éric and his wife Martine share the same love of nature and biodiversity in their estate.

Champagne Agroforestry
On sloping land, planting trees in the vines helps to anchor them and compensate for water loss during increasingly hot summers. The dominant grape variety is Pinot Noir, a regional tradition, with Chardonnay making up 20% of the total. The entire estate (2.5 hectares of vines) has been managed organically (AB, Eurofeuille, Ecocert) and biodynamically since 2014.

The charm of the Côte des Bar
A remarkable freshness and salinity, a well-known signature of the Kimmeridgian limestone of the Côte des Bar, the "emerging" region of Champagne. Domaine Collinet's champagnes are unanimously described as lively and fruity. These wines are tangy but not lacking in roundness, with a lively bubble. Perfect for pairing with any dish, a great opportunity to enjoy Champagne meals without having to worry too much about pairing them.

Ploussard Red 2022,

Fréderic Cossard

With this 2022 Ploussard cuvée, Frédéric Cossard, Burgundy's iconic winemaker, offers us a delicate and pure interpretation of this iconic Jura grape variety. Carefully produced and respecting natural principles, this wine seduces with its finesse and freshness.

A Ploussard of elegance

Produced using a viticulture method without additives and gentle vinification, this Ploussard fully expresses the lightness and liveliness of the grape variety. The low extraction and controlled aging allow for a fine and airy structure, where the fruit expresses itself brilliantly.

A subtle nose and a silky palate

The nose reveals delicate notes of fresh red fruits (redcurrant, raspberry), accompanied by a floral and slightly spicy touch. On the palate, the body is supple and elegant, carried by a lively acidity and melted tannins. The persistent finish leaves a beautiful sensation of purity and freshness.

What to taste with this Ploussard?

Served at 16-18°C, this Ploussard will perfectly accompany roast poultry, beef carpaccio or a platter of mature cheeses. With an aging potential of 5 to 10 years, it will evolve towards even more complex aromas.

Fleur tropicale White 2018

Les Valseuses

Inspiration: a deeply soothing and voluptuous song by Francis Bebey. This whole-bunch macerated Jura Chardonnay evokes the same peace: sit back, glass in hand, and contemplate the beauty of the world.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Royal Canette White 2016

La Sorga

This 100% Colombard white wine comes from grapes grown on basalt sand and Villafranchian limestone soils in Adissan. Antony Tortul selected the most concentrated grapes from the plot and created a blend of direct pressing and maceration with a little flotation (clarified must). The whole was aged in vats for eleven months. The exotic fruit notes of this wine pair very well with fish in a creamy white wine sauce or in matelote. It has a ten-year aging potential.

Magnum Coeur Brisé (exclusivité Culinaries) Rosé 2022

Aurélien Lefort

Les Marlines Special White Cuvée 2018

Jean Yves Peron

Les Marlines is an organic and natural dry white wine from Jean-Yves Péron. This exceptional cuvée, classified as a Vin de France, is produced in Savoie in the Chignin-Bergeron region (without the appellation). It is a 100% Roussanne de Savoie merchant cuvée made from grapes grown biodynamically in Chignin by Gilles Berlioz.

Vinification

Roussannes are produced from young vines (three years old) and older vines growing on poor, shallow limestone subsoil. The plot is south-facing on a predominantly west-facing slope. This is the first harvest from these young vines, and it is producing splendid results. The grapes spend three weeks in carbonic maceration with a week of punching down, then the wine is aged under veil for four years in 225-liter barrels.

Tasting

The oxidative note is unmistakable in this Les Marlines cuvée; it is accompanied by great aromatic richness and real freshness. This complete and adaptable wine offers delicious notes of hay, dried herbs, and apricot, which is the hallmark of Roussanne. As a good sailing wine, this wine will go with everything. We recommend it with very old hard cheeses: or with exceptional charcuterie, such as galabart black pudding, Bigorre black ham or Béarnaise andouille, all three to be found in the selection of the Collectif Padouen. Or a simmered Gascon poultry (we strongly recommend using this wine for the sauce: you will therefore need more than one bottle).

Learn more about Jean-Yves Péron

Jean-Yves Péron is a talented embodiment of the organic, biodynamic and natural renaissance of the Savoyard vineyard, which is based on varied soils and numerous indigenous grape varieties (Jacquère, Altesse, Mondeuse, etc.). At his Chevaline winery in the Bauges region, he vinifies grapes from his plots in Conflans, near Albertville, and Fréterive, in the Isère valley.

High-altitude biodynamics

Jean-Yves Péron's work follows the principles of minimal intervention. On narrow, steep slopes, his hand-worked mountain vines in micro-plots receive no synthetic products, Jean-Yves preferring horsetail and nettle manure. The grapes are vatted in whole bunches and undergo semi-carbonic maceration. Shortly before pressing, they are foot-trodden in the vat, then transferred to two- or three-wine barrels for twelve months of aging on lees, before blending and resting in the vat. No sulfites are added, or as little as possible, and the wines are not fined or filtered.

Italian-Savoyard trade

Since 2011, a trading activity has allowed Jean-Yves Péron to buy the harvest from neighboring organic winegrowers and to collaborate with winegrowers from Northern Italy: this is the I Vicini series, which allows him to diversify the terroirs and deepen his experiences in winemaking and aging.

Volnay 1er Cru Carelle Sous la Chapelle Red 2020

Domaine de Chassorney

Full of roundness, with a magnificent, refined, and airy bouquet, this superb premier cru Pinot Noir red wine comes from a sloping, west-facing plot at an altitude of approximately 280 meters, on marl-limestone soils. The grapes macerate in whole bunches. Aging is approximately one year in barrels. The name of the plot refers to the old chapel that can still be seen today on the side of the road leading to Monthélie, at the bottom of the village. The term "carelle" refers to the shape of the plot, from the Latin quadrus, "square".

Find out more
Through his entirely natural work, Frédéric Cossard gives voice to the terroirs and Burgundy wines, undeformed by agricultural chemicals. Having observed, during his years of trading, the existence of harmful viticultural practices, the winemaker used this counter-example to practice unadulterated viticulture. Thus, he produces vintages of purity and elegance without artifice that are among the most sought-after in Burgundy. Frédéric worked as a wine broker for some time before creating the Domaine de Chassorney with his partner Laure in 1996: initially a few ares of vines in Saint-Romain, Auxey-Duresses and Savigny-lès-Beaune, and currently ten hectares spread across the Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard, Volnay, Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune and Bourgogne appellations. In 2006, he created his own wine trading house and buys organic grapes to vinify, according to his style and convictions, great vintages such as Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Pommard, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée and several Beaujolais crus. The practice is not limited to Burgundy since vintages are made from grapes purchased in the Jura or Languedoc. At his place, the work of the soil and the vines is done as naturally as possible: regular ploughing by horse, no addition of chemical fertilizers or weedkillers. The vines are cared for according to the principles of biodynamics: homeopathic treatments based on essential oils, copper and sulfur in minimal doses. The harvest is entirely manual, carried out at full maturity, at the end of October. Red or white, classic Burgundies or more atypical or less "regional" bottles, Frédéric's vintages are rare and coveted wines, which sometimes require waiting.

Volnay 1er Cru Carelle Sous la Chapelle Rouge 2019

Domaine de Chassorney
Through his entirely natural work, Frédéric Cossard gives voice to the terroirs and Burgundy wines, undistorted by agricultural chemicals. Having observed, during his years of trading, the existence of harmful viticultural practices, the winemaker used this counterexample to practice unadulterated viticulture. Thus, he produces vintages of purity and elegance without artifice that are among the most sought-after in Burgundy. Frédéric worked as a wine broker for some time before creating the Chassorney estate with his partner Laure in 1996: initially a few ares of vines in Saint-Romain, Auxey-Duresses and Savigny-lès-Beaune, and currently ten hectares spread across the Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard, Volnay, Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune and Bourgogne appellations. In 2006, he created his own wine trading house and buys organic grapes to vinify, according to his style and convictions, great vintages such as Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Pommard, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée and several Beaujolais crus. The practice is not limited to Burgundy since vintages are made from grapes purchased in the Jura or Languedoc. At his place, the work of the soil and the vines is done as naturally as possible: regular plowing by horse, no addition of chemical fertilizers or weedkillers. The vines are cared for according to the principles of biodynamics: homeopathic treatments based on essential oils, copper and sulfur in minimal doses. The harvest is entirely manual, carried out at full maturity, at the end of October. Reds or whites, classic Burgundies or more atypical or less "regional" bottles, Frédéric's vintages are rare and sought-after wines, which sometimes require waiting. This Pinot Noir, classified as a premier cru, comes from a steep, west-facing plot at an altitude of approximately 280 meters, on marl-limestone soils. The grapes macerate in whole bunches. Aging is approximately one year in barrels. The name of the plot refers to the old chapel that can still be seen today on the edge of the road leading to Monthélie, in the lower part of the village. "Carelle" refers to the shape of the plot, from the Latin quadrus, "square".
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Les Bonnes Quilles White 2022,

Domaine Bois Moisset

Les Bonnes Quilles is an organic and natural white wine from the Gaillac terroir, produced by the Bois-Moisset estate. This new vintage, Les Bonnes Quilles, is aptly named. This white maceration wine, classified as Vin de France, is a marvel of balance and will seduce you with its personality.

Vinification

Les Bonnes Quilles blanc is a blend of three white grape varieties: Sauvignon and Muscadelle (the majority) and Len-de-l’el (Loin-de-l’œil), a Gaillac grape variety named for the length of its stalk, at 10%. The vines grow on the clay-limestone molasse soils of the first slopes of Gaillac and the grapes are harvested by hand. The Sauvignon and Muscadelle are directly pressed and rest in vats, while Loin-de-l’œil, destemmed, macerates for eight weeks on the skins. The two vats are blended for bottling.

Tasting

Les Bonnes Quilles, the aptly named. An engaging white wine, opulent yet dry, where the macerated far-of-the-eye plays the role of spice. At once fresh, robust and pleasant, Les Bonnes Quilles is superbly aromatic on the nose and in the mouth. A wine for friends and good food, with a sunny and convivial profile. It will accept solid pairings, nothing scares it: roasted white meats, fine poultry, grilled fish or fish in sauce, or country cuisine (cassoulet, stews, carbonades, etc.).

Learn more about the Bois-Moisset estate

In the heart of the oldest vineyard in France — that of Gaillac, in the Tarn — Sylvie Ledran, Philippe Maffre and their son Hippolyte watch over their Bois-Moisset estate, a wine-growing property associated with a mixed crop-livestock activity, all in organic farming. Gaillac is famous for its many ancient indigenous grape varieties, and its wine-growing heritage is uniquely rich.

Cows and Vines

The Bois-Moisset estate is also home to a herd of old local breed cows, and guest rooms are available during the summer months. It is in this small rural paradise that natural wines typical of their origin and terroir are born, on fifteen hectares of boulbènes, gravelly and sandy-loam soils carried by the Tarn for thousands of years.

Indigenous Grape Varieties

The grape varieties are dominated by Syrah and Duras, but the wines of the Bois-Moisset estate reflect the ampelographic richness of the Gaillac region (braucol, prunelart, loin-de-l’œil, mauzac, braucol, ondenc, etc.). The red wines are crisply fruity, concentrated but with smooth and delicate tannins, the whites have character and the pet’nat’s are particularly tasty.

Susucaru Rosso Red 2023,

Frank Cornelissen

A vibrant and versatile natural red
The Susucaru Rosso 2023 is a unique cuvée from Frank Cornelissen, made from a unique blend of local grape varieties: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Capuccio, Minnella, Alicante Bouschet, and Uva Francesa. Grown on the basalt soils of Mount Etna, these grape varieties are blended in a vinification process using the ancestral method, marked by a one-month destemmed maceration, to create a wine bursting with freshness and character.

A fruity and structured red
To the eye, the Susucaru Rosso 2023 stands out for its bright, lively ruby ​​color. The nose opens with expressive aromas of red berries, ripe cherry, and pink berries, enhanced by a touch of spice and volcanic minerality. On the palate, this wine offers a silky texture, beautiful freshness, and a delicate structure. The flavors of vibrant red fruits are balanced by subtle notes of spice and a slight salinity, for a long, vibrant finish. Served between 14 and 16°C after decanting, it reveals all its richness and energy.

Versatile and convivial
Perfect as an aperitif, Susucaru Rosso also pairs well with cooked fish, white meats or light Mediterranean dishes. Its freshness and structure make it a versatile red wine, suitable for convivial meals as well as more refined occasions.

With an aging potential of 5 years, this cuvée captures the lively and natural spirit of Etna in a modern and accessible expression. An invitation to discover the unique know-how of Frank Cornelissen.

Le Grenache du Bois Saint Jaume Red 2022

Fond Cyprès

Le Grenache du Bois Saint Jaume 2022 from the Fond Cyprès estate is a true ode to the terroir of Languedoc-Roussillon. This 100% Grenache Noir red wine, grown according to organic farming principles (Eurofeuille label), elegantly expresses the richness of its natural environment. Located in the Occitanie region, this vineyard is surrounded by woods on three sides, creating a microclimate conducive to the maturation of the 80-year-old vines that thrive on sandy soils.

Vinification and Aging

The vinification of this natural wine is carried out with a three-week maceration, followed by ten months of aging in vats. No oenological inputs are used and the fermentation relies exclusively on indigenous yeasts, thus guaranteeing a pure and authentic expression of Grenache Noir. Without filtration, this wine retains all its complexity and depth.

Tasting Notes

On tasting, Le Grenache du Bois Saint Jaume reveals an intense nose dominated by aromas of red fruits and typical notes of the garrigue surrounding the vineyard. On the palate, the wine is velvety, with a beautiful length and a silky texture that testifies to the controlled aging. The structure is balanced, offering a freshness that enhances the fruity and spicy flavors of Grenache. This wine has the potential to age beautifully for over ten years.

Food and wine pairings

Ideal with grilled or sauced red meats, this wine also pairs perfectly with Mediterranean dishes. For optimal enjoyment, serve it at a temperature of 14 to 16 degrees after lightly decanting.