Gift Ideas for Rookies

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.

Cuvée Mourvèdre Rouge 2020,

Frédéric Cossard
From the southern Rhône Valley, this beautifully structured red wine offers very fresh fruit and ripe, fine tannins. Elegant and dense, yet fluid, it is a 100% Mourvèdre vinified in whole bunches and aged for a year in concrete eggs. A good wine for laying down.

Find out more
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 for a while as a wine broker 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 merchant company and purchased 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 vintages. The practice is not limited to Burgundy, as vintages are made from grapes purchased in the Jura, Languedoc and elsewhere. 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. Red or white, classic Burgundies or more atypical or less "regional" bottles, Frédéric's vintages are rare and sought-after wines, which sometimes require waiting.

Le Litre Arbitre White 2020,

Château Lafitte

Le Litre Arbitre, a dry white wine with a strong aroma of white fruit and lemon, is deliciously mineral and lively, perfect for all occasions and also a joy to drink on its own. It's so perfect for gatherings with good friends that Château Lafitte decided to pour it directly into a one-liter bottle. The beverage is obtained by directly pressing different grape varieties from a very old, planted plot whose birth date is unknown. The blend includes the classic Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng grapes from the Jurançon terroir. The harvest is done among friends, the viticulture and winemaking (100% biodynamic) are done without the slightest addition of chemicals or sulfites. Fruity as desired, designed for the most intense conviviality, and not even a pinhead of added sulfites. This wine will keep for a very long time if given the chance.

To find out more

Château Lafitte is located in Béarn, on the noble terroir of Jurançon, the origin of superb sweet wines and dry wines that have nothing to envy. Since the 14th century, Monein, the commune where the estate is located, has been nestled in an exceptional natural, rich and hilly environment. In the 16th century, vines already occupied a significant part of the property, and they have persisted to this day. Philippe and Brigitte Arraou, the current owners, have undertaken to revive viticulture on the site, assisted since 2012 by their son Antoine, a winemaker as passionate as his parents. Château Lafitte is now managed biodynamically and with agroforestry: five hectares of marl-limestone soils typical of the appellation, on a hilly terrain that can become very cold in winter. The king grape varieties of Jurançon, Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng, represent the majority of the grape varieties. Also typical of Jurançon and the Pyrénées-Atlantiques in general, viticulture en hautains, that is to say raised and trained very high, is practiced. As it was in many primitive vineyards, some of which are still active (Portugal, Spain, Georgia, etc.). On this beautiful estate, winemaking experiments are legion: aging in terracotta jars for dry wines, solera for sweet wines in untopped barrels, photovoltaic roofs for the cellar, rainwater harvesting, gravity-fed vinification. Château Lafitte produces sweet Jurançons as well as still dry wines and a very successful natural sparkling wine, Funambule.

Saint-Joseph Les Hauts Red 2017,

Domaine des Miquettes

A pure Syrah from the Saint-Joseph appellation, produced by an astonishing estate that chose to vinify in qvevri, Georgian-style terracotta jars. This cuvée, produced from forty-year-old vines, was bottled after two years in jars, offering magnificent notes of pepper and violet on the nose, a satiny palate, and fruity body typical of good terracotta aging. Drink now or keep for a few more years.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.

YARD Rouge, Red 2023

Danis dans la vigne

With "YARD Rouge", Danis dans la vigne offers an uninhibited and lively version of Malbec, the emblematic grape variety of Cahors. Here, there's no excessive concentration or robust extraction: this 100% organic Malbec asserts its freedom and accessibility, in a natural version full of charm and personality.

A natural winemaking process, true to the fruit

From vines planted on clay-limestone soils in the Lot region, the grapes are cultivated without chemicals, respecting natural balances. The winemaking is artisanal: gentle maceration for two weeks, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, without oenological additives, followed by nine months of aging in stainless steel tanks. This choice preserves all the fruit's vibrancy, without masking the identity of the grape variety or the terroir.

A supple and tasty red

On tasting, YARD Rouge seduces with its open nose of ripe dark fruit aromas (plum, blackberry), accompanied by touches of dried fruit. On the palate, the texture is supple, the tannins are fine and well-integrated, with a lovely grain and a finish that retains freshness. The style is clean, pure, and invites indulgence without heaviness.

The natural wine for all occasions

Perfect at 14–16 °C, after a light decanting, YARD Rouge is perfect for an aperitif or at the table. It will pair wonderfully with slow-cooked dishes, grilled meats, or a nice charcuterie board. To be drunk within two years to fully enjoy its vibrant fruit.

Coince ta bulle, White 2025

Château Frédignac

A playful name for an equally playful wine. "Coince ta bulle" (literally "Block your bubble") promises a refreshing, honest, natural sparkling wine, perfectly in the spirit of the natural wines we love to open with friends. Behind this bottle: Château Frédignac, a committed estate in the Bordeaux appellation, presenting a Sémillon white wine made using ancestral methods, without artifice or superfluous intervention.

A lively wine, carefully crafted

Made from grapes grown on typical Bordeaux clay-limestone soils, this white wine is produced according to "pet' nat'" principles: fermentation starts naturally in tanks with indigenous yeasts, then finishes in the bottle, trapping the naturally produced CO₂. The estate chooses to retain between 10 and 15g of residual sugar at bottling, giving this wine a delightful roundness without being heavy.

A vibrant aromatic profile

On the nose, hints of white flowers and yellow-fleshed fruits can be discerned. On the palate, the bubbles are fine, the attack is fresh, and the balance is marked by a lovely tension. A slight hint of white pepper on the finish adds a subtle aromatic twist. The structure is light, refreshing, with exemplary drinkability.

A wine for sharing

Served between 8 and 10°C, "Coince ta bulle" will perfectly accompany aperitifs with friends, cheese platters, or spicy and exotic dishes. No decanting needed, but a good time in good company, yes! This wine can be kept for 3 to 5 years, but we bet you won't resist opening it sooner.

C'est reculer que d'être stationnaire Red 2023,

Danis dans la vigne

With a name as intriguing as "It's a step backward to be stationary," this cuvée by Danis dans la vigne is a true invitation to be bold. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, vinified with a short maceration, offers a fruity and delicate expression of the grape variety, far from overly tannic profiles. Grown on loamy soils in Occitanie, then aged in stainless steel vats for a year, this red wine seduces with its tangy freshness and irresistible crispness.

A lively and accessible red

Thanks to gentle vinification, this Cabernet Sauvignon is distinguished by its finesse and balance. Maceration for a few days preserves the vibrant fruit, without extracting too many tannins, giving rise to a supple and easy-to-drink cuvée. With its moderate alcohol content (12.5%), it is suitable for aperitifs as well as convivial meals.

An explosion of red fruits

The nose opens with a beautiful aromatic freshness, dominated by blackcurrant, accompanied by notes of tangy red fruits. On the palate, the texture is fluid and delicate, with a beautiful tension and a slightly spicy touch on the finish. The whole is carried by an invigorating acidity which reinforces its digestible and drinkable side.

The perfect ally for gourmet moments

Served slightly chilled (14-16°C), "C’est reculer que d’être stationnaire" will ideally accompany a platter of artisanal charcuterie, grilled poultry or an aperitif with friends. Its aging potential of 5 years will also allow you to appreciate its evolution over time.

A joyful and free red, which proves that with movement, everything becomes more alive.

Vagabond Red 2022

Benoit Camus

Vagabond is an organic (Ecocert) and natural red wine from Beaujolais, made by Benoît Camus from Gamay. This Vin de France is produced in the south of the appellation, in the Pierre Dorées terroir. Its name evokes the winemaker's life as a seasonal farmer before purchasing his vineyards in Beaujolais.

Vinification

Growing on clay-limestone soils, the Gamay vines of Beaujolais are cultivated and harvested by hand, as the steep terrain prohibits any mechanized work. The harvest undergoes a semi-carbonic maceration process for fifteen days. The wine is aged in concrete vats for twelve months.

Tasting

Two vintages from Benoît Camus are currently available, this one being the "sweeter" of the two. It is an organic and natural Beaujolais with rich and vibrant fruit—strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, cherry, redcurrant—which we recommend drinking well chilled. The acidity and freshness are remarkable, and the wine offers notes of humus and wet stone. A touch of spice: nutmeg. It is a very aromatic wine, a charmer that will appreciate being paired with charcuterie, cured meats, Red Meats and roasted poultry.

Learn more about Benoît Camus

You might think he's itinerant, with his vintages called "Château roulant" or "Vagabond," but for Benoît Camus, it's a memory of his previous life, when he was a seasonal farmer in the Rhône Valley and as far as Roussillon. Since 2003, he has settled in Southern Beaujolais, in the Pierres Dorées terroir, to make organic (Ecocert) and natural wines.

Nature first, nature always

Before buying his seven-hectare estate from an old winemaker, the vines had not yet seen pesticides or chemical additives. Many in Beaujolais worked like this. He made his first vintage in 2006, "natural without knowing it," he says. A brief attempt at chemical spraying to treat grape worms definitively dissuaded him from adding anything to the vineyard or the winery. He acquired Ecocert organic certification and continued to produce natural products.

The terroir of Pierre Dorées

The southern Beaujolais region, with its clay and limestone, produces wines that are more structured and powerful than those from the granite soils of the north. This is the profile presented by Benoît Camus's reds: natural, straight, dense wines with long aging potential, with good acidity and well-integrated tannins, not to mention abundant, rich, and seductive fruit.

Château Bonnet Eden Red 2021

Les Vignobles Andre Lurton

We first discover a beautiful, deep, vermillion color, a lovely cherry red with some purple highlights that will fade as the wine ages. The nose of this Eden cuvée offers notes of peony and crisp red fruit (cherry, morello cherry) enhanced with a touch of pepper. On the palate, the wine attacks frankly, with plenty of fruit and freshness. The tannic structure is medium, and the tannins are well-integrated. There is a very nice volume on the mid-palate. The olfactory sensation of crisp, juicy cherry is confirmed on the palate. This is a very indulgent, digestible, and very easy-drinking wine, where the fruity notes express themselves freely, with the fullness of the unsulfured wine. It will be appreciated as an aperitif and on any other occasion, but we see it especially at the table, with dishes that are not too sophisticated, dishes of good humor - beautiful grilled red meats, golden duck breasts, country salads: with confit duck gizzards, lentils... The digestibility of wines is a concept that is increasingly close to our hearts; red Bordeaux have long held the torch and we invite you to experience it with this lovely red Entre-Deux-Mers. Château Bonnet cuvée Eden is produced, for the cultivation and vinification, in biocontrol (set of plant protection methods based on the use of natural mechanisms). It is vinified in concrete eggs and classified as Vin de France. No sulfite has been added, either in the vineyard or in the cellar.

To find out more
Lurton is a name that resonates strongly throughout the Bordeaux region: this dynasty of winegrowers, currently represented in France by around ten owners of wine châteaux and a company (Les Vignobles André Lurton) bringing together several estates, has distinguished itself at the head of prestigious properties including several classified growths, from Château-Cheval-Blanc to Château-d'Yquem via Château-Climens... Château Bonnet is the cradle of the Lurton dynasty, planted at the end of the 19th century by the liqueur maker Léonce Récapet, a visionary of viticulture who passed on the virus to most of his descendants. This beautiful estate in the Entre-Deux-Mers has one hundred and twenty hectares of vines. It is traditionally planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, and produces white, rosé and red wines. Under the leadership of its new director Mathilde Bazin de Caix and on selected plots, it has recently taken over the management of biocontrol viticulture and vinification, as well as natural wine without chemical or exogenous inputs added to the vineyard or the cellar. For the moment, this is the only Eden vintage, but we hope to produce others in the near future.

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.

Sumoll 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.
This all-Sumoll red wine (a traditional Catalan grape variety) comes from almost century-old vines planted in Mas Llorenç, in the Lower Penedès, on limestone soils. The altitude of the plot is 260 meters. The harvest is sorted, 10% foot-crushed, then undergoes 27 days of semi-carbonic maceration. After a second, very moderate crushing, fermentation continues in stainless steel tanks. This wine truly reflects the grape variety's signature, with a very fresh attack, lovely acidity, fruity complexity, and moderate tannins. Its modest alcohol content makes it a good aperitif and get-together wine. It will be a hit at a summer barbecue.

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.

Tinto Cosecha BCDC Red 2018

Bodegas Coruña del Conde
BCDC (the initials of the winery) is a 100% Tempranillo from vines planted at an altitude of over 1,000 meters. From the vineyard to the winery, all work is artisanal and carried out with respect for nature. The harvest is destemmed and macerated for 30 days in vats. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place in vats, and the wine is then aged for five months in old 500-liter French oak barrels. This 2018 was bottled in May 2020 and, as is Spanish practice, was left to rest for a few months before release. It is a full-bodied, dark, dense red that is full of personality and pairs well with red meats and grilled meats.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Farmhouse Cider 2020,

Florian Bourrienne

This 2020 vintage farmhouse cider from Florian Bourrienne still bears the sweetness of its youth, but it is perfectly ripe for drinking. It already offers ample, evolved, and roundly fruity notes, which are the distinctive mark of this producer. You can let it age for at least another four or five years; it will gradually acquire airier, even fuller, and more vegetal notes evoking hay, flowers, and meadow, as well as flavors of ripe candied apple that we love to find in Florian's farmhouse ciders. The bubble is soft and fine, the aromatic palette asks to unfold, and in this regard, we advise you to decant this cider. Its faithful companions will be fresh, smoked or dried seafood, cooked, as well as charcuterie cooked the old-fashioned way and buckwheat pancakes.

To find out more
What mainly differentiates Florian Bourrienne from other cider producers is that he makes ciders for laying down, intended to evolve over the years. His orchard is in the heart of Calvados, in the Pays d'Auge, but outside the AOC in order to preserve the freedom and singularity of his ciders. We can speak, without hesitation, of natural cider, because the cider maker goes beyond organic to respect the traditional production method, delicate, patient and demanding enormous work. From his fifteen-hectare orchard planted with tall stems, he produces ciders for ageing, excellent to drink in their youth but sumptuous after several years. The blend is carefully measured according to the characteristics of each vintage. The fruit production is entirely organic and the fermentation processes—there are two for traditional cider—are slow and patient, so that the cider is made in the right way, using natural yeasts. These are preserved in the cider thanks to a light filtration that respects all the living elements capable of polishing the taste and aromas, but also facilitates the formation of foam, which must be just right: neither too strong nor too weak. It's difficult to manage, but the result is well worth it. These are mastered ciders, eminently delicious, marked by an extraordinary sweetness and roundness of apple. Over time, they acquire notes of acidity and astringency that gracefully reinforce their beautiful aromatic palette. Ciders of taste and pleasure, as delicious at the table as as an aperitif.

La Syrah de la Pinède Rouge 2020,

Fond Cyprès
Dense, full-bodied, and generous, this Syrah is ready to drink but can still wait. It carries the freshness and shade of its forest environment and a certain gravity that is not uncommon in Corbières wines based on this type of blend. It features notes of garrigue and Mediterranean herbs. Coming from a plot of young vines (between sixteen and twenty years old) exposed to the north and the northwest wind, bordered by pines and cypresses that protect and refresh it, the Syrah harvest used to make this wine is destemmed, gently extracted, fermented in concrete vats, and the wine is aged for one year in old barrels. It is a true wine of the South, born of the sun and a faithful reflection of the earth.

To find out more
This Languedoc estate is built on solid foundations: its two winemakers, Rodolphe and Laetitia, are also descendants of winemakers. Even before planting their first vine, they already have a clear objective: "to produce wines from the South that reflect us, wines of character attached to our soils, with freshness and refined tannins." They want to obtain entirely natural wines, concentrates of terroir. In the old Corbières massif, they took over an old heart of an estate already planted with abandoned Carignan and Grenache vines, which had seen neither fertilizer nor pesticides for years: these clean and vibrant soils are ideal conditions for launching into natural wine. Around this historic heart, they first planted Grenache Noir and Syrah, then a plot of white grape varieties: Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne. The estate has been Ecocert certified since 2010 and also complies with the Nature & Progrès charter. Vinification is carried out without the addition of sulfites or exogenous yeasts. "We make wines for pleasure," say Laetitia and Rodolphe. For them, natural wine is first evaluated by taste, from the harvest. The vintages closely follow the plots, the musts are fruity, fluid, and complex. Fond Cyprès wines poetically evoke the estate's ecosystem and the vegetation that protects the plots: pine forests, shaded springs, the beauty of the natural environment that brings freshness to the wines and leaves the signature of the soil. Deliciously balanced between mineral imprint, plant environment and fruit expression, Fond Cyprès wines reflect the South: the caress of its sun, but also the freshness of its shadows.

Oolithe white 2020

Domaine Einhart
Oolithe, a macerated white wine, has a pale apricot color and exudes a beautiful minerality, great freshness, and the integrity of its predominant grape variety, Sylvaner. Aromas of fresh apple enhance it. The second nose opens more fully with elderflower, lily of the valley, and citrus peel. On the palate, the attack is lively, fresh, and mineral, leading to a spicy and persistent finish. The name Oolithe is a direct allusion to the oolitic limestone that makes up the muschelkalk soil from which it is sourced (plots located in Weingarten and Oberer Altenberg). On this soil grow Sylvaner and Gewurztraminer, the two grape varieties that make up this wine, at 60 percent and 40 percent respectively. The average age of the vines is thirty years. The harvest is manual, destemmed, and the brief maceration, on indigenous yeasts, takes place for four days. The wine is aged on fine lees, in stainless steel vats, before being bottled without filtration. From the vine to the cellar, this wine was made without any additives. Decanting is recommended so that it fully expresses all its floral grace.

To find out more
Located in the northern part of the Alsatian vineyard, horizontally above Strasbourg, the Einhart estate is a ten-hectare family property whose vines are located on the hillsides that rise between the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains. The soil is clay-limestone and rich in fossils (muschelkalk, i.e. shell limestone and oolite limestone, and lettenkohle or dolomitic limestone). Since 1990, Nicolas Einhart has been at the helm, now assisted by his son Théo. True to his commitments to the TIFLO association, of which he is co-founder, Nicolas devotes his winemaking work to protecting the land and biodiversity, winemaking without inputs, refusing harmful phytosanitary products and maintaining ecological refuge areas. His estate has been certified organic since 2011. Like Jean-Marc Dreyer, he is resolutely moving towards skin maceration and produces white maceration wines (orange wines) in addition to a Pinot Noir red. Entirely manual harvesting, destemming of the bunches, light punching down and delicate pressing are characteristic of the estate, as well as the separate vinification of each terroir, aging on lees and the absence of filtration before bottling. The wines are pure grape, lively, powerful, invigorating, and transcribe the minerality of the very beautiful terroirs of the Vosges foothills.

Pinot Noir 2020,

Domaine Einhart
A velvety, ripe red, 100% Pinot Noir, with an intense, fragrant, and gently fruity aroma. The deep, purplish color evokes black cherry. The initial nose is enhanced by aromas of black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry) with a hint of freshness blended into a light vanilla woodiness. The second nose is more open, with aromas of blood orange, bitter almond, and kirsch. On the palate, the berries are still present, supported by present but well-melted tannins, and lead to a velvety finish resting on a lovely freshness. Plenty of persistence and length. The Pinot Noirs from which it is made, aged around thirty years, grow on the muschelkalk (shell limestone) terroirs of Dittelsberg-Albermohn and are harvested by hand, then destemmed. Maceration, using indigenous yeasts, takes between ten and twelve days. Aging for one year on fine lees, in demi-muids, precedes bottling without filtration. From the vine to the cellar, this wine was made without any additives. Decanting is recommended so that it can fully express its finesse and grace.

To find out more
Located in the northern part of the Alsatian vineyard, horizontally above Strasbourg, the Einhart estate is a ten-hectare family estate whose vines are located on the hillsides that rise between the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains. The soil is clay-limestone and rich in fossils (muschelkalk, i.e. shell limestone and oolite limestone, and lettenkohle or dolomitic limestone). Since 1990, Nicolas Einhart has been at the helm, now assisted by his son Théo. True to his commitments to the TIFLO association, of which he is co-founder, Nicolas devotes his winemaking work to the protection of the land and biodiversity, winemaking without inputs, the refusal of harmful phytosanitary products and the maintenance of ecological refuge zones. His estate has been certified organic since 2011. Like Jean-Marc Dreyer, he is resolutely moving towards skin maceration and produces white maceration wines (orange wines) in addition to a Pinot Noir red. Entirely manual harvesting, destemming of the bunches, light punching down and delicate pressing are characteristic of the estate, as well as the separate vinification of each terroir, aging on lees and the absence of filtration before bottling. The wines are pure grape, lively, powerful, invigorating, and transcribe the minerality of the very beautiful terroirs of the Vosges foothills.

Viognier Blanc 2019,

Domaine des Miquettes
Paul Estève and Chrystelle Vareille are the founders of Domaine des Miquettes, whose distinctive feature is the use of Georgian techniques. They are passionate about this Caucasian country, the cradle of wine, where eight-thousand-year-old winemaking techniques are still used. At the heart of this viticulture is the qvevri, the buried jar where all the winemaking takes place: fermentation with skin maceration and aging. They set out to explore this country and returned with the decision to age all their wines in buried jars. They have twenty-six of them, but distinguish between tinajas (Spanish jars) for fermentation-maceration and buried "amphorae" for aging. No sulfur is added. For both reds and whites, terracotta erases astringency and transmutes it into a velvety texture, a fruity and supple material.
The estate, located in Ardèche, is south of the Saint-Joseph appellation. Paul trained with René-Jean Dard and François Ribo, two great figures of natural wine in the Rhône Valley. With Chrystelle, he began by taking over Paul's family farm with two ares of vines, then in 2004 the entire estate, which now covers 4.3 hectares. The white grape varieties are located around the house, the red grape varieties are planted on steep slopes, between 300 and 450 meters above sea level. The plots rest on a granite base with light soils: black mica granite, schist and gneiss. Everything is grown organically (Ecocert) with biodynamic practices. The vines are cared for and fortified with herbal decoctions and clay. The soils are worked by horse or winch and pickaxe. No chemical inputs are added to the vineyard work. The harvest is entirely manual.
A very fine single-varietal cuvée from the Domaine des Miquettes made from the noble Viognier from the Rhône Valley, its region of origin, where it gives its best. Its aromatic richness is highlighted by the terracotta vinification and the floral, fruity and mineral notes are of great opulence within a magnificent fresh framework.

Toile de Fond Cuvée Exclusive Red 2020,

Fond Cyprès
This Toile de Fond, bottled in June 2021, is an exclusive cuvée from Fond Cyprès for Culinaries. It consists of eighty percent free-run juice from the Carignan de la Source and twenty percent press juice from the blended cuvée Corbières (one-third Carignan, one-third Syrah, and one-third Grenache). The grapes are vinified separately before being blended in concrete vats for aging. This new addition, which is very dear to us, is a red wine for all occasions, in the straightforward and sunny style – without excess heat – which characterizes this estate.

To find out more
Rodolphe and Laetitia, the two winemakers of this Languedoc estate, are also descendants of winemakers. Fond Cyprès is built on solid foundations. Even before planting their first vine, they already had a clear objective: "to produce southern wines that reflect us, wines with character attached to our soils, with freshness and refined tannins." They want to obtain entirely natural wines, concentrates of terroir. In the heart of the old Corbières massif, they are taking over an old heart of the estate already planted with abandoned Carignan and Grenache, which have seen neither fertilizer nor pesticides for years: these clean and living soils are an ideal condition for launching into natural wine. Around this historic heart, they first planted Grenache Noir and Syrah, then a plot of white grape varieties: Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne. The estate has been Ecocert certified since 2010 and also complies with the Nature & Progrès charter. The vinification is done without the addition of sulfites or exogenous yeasts. "We make wines for pleasure," say Laetitia and Rodolphe. For them, natural wine is first assessed by taste, from the harvest. The vintages closely follow the plots, the musts are fruity, fluid, and complex. The wines of Fond Cyprès poetically evoke the estate's ecosystem and the vegetation that protects the plots: the pine forests, the shady springs, the beauty of the natural environment that brings freshness to the wines and leaves the soil's signature. Deliciously balanced between mineral imprint, vegetal environment and expression of fruit, the wines of Fond Cyprès reflect the South: the caress of its sun, but also the freshness of its shadows.