Gift Ideas for Rookies

En Rouge et Noir Red 2015

La Sorga

En Rouge et Noir, a red wine from the Faugères AOC, is a blend of black, white, and gray Grenache grapes grown on schist soils in Cabrerolles. The grapes macerate in whole bunches for twenty-nine days in a near-infusion, then are aged in vats on total lees for nine months. Its sweet notes of citrus, rose, and pepper make it the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, charcuterie, or peppery terrines. Its aging potential is ten years.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Goes with: Charcuterie, Terrines and pâtés, Grilled meats

Cyprès de Toi, White 2024

Fond Cyprès

With Cyprès de Toi, Fond Cyprès winery creates an organic Chardonnay from Languedoc, surprisingly fresh and airy in style. This still white wine, made from direct press and aged in stainless steel tanks, highlights the purity of the fruit, the vivacity of the grape varietal, and the simple deliciousness of an accessible natural wine.

An unadorned Chardonnay

Grown on clay-limestone soils, the Chardonnay is harvested early to preserve its natural acidity. Directly pressed, it ferments with indigenous yeasts without the addition of oenological inputs, then it is aged for six months in stainless steel tanks to retain all its freshness and aromatic brilliance. The result: a straightforward, clear wine, ready to drink.

A lively, floral and refreshing white wine

The nose evokes white flowers, fresh lemon, and a slight hint of green apple. On the palate, tension dominates: a lively attack, a light body, a clean and citrusy finish. A wine that is very easy to drink, without heaviness, but with a precise expression of the grape varietal in a sunny climate.

To be enjoyed without delay

Served between 10 and 12 °C, Cyprès de Toi is perfect as an aperitif, but also pairs very well with shellfish, seafood, grilled fish, or white meats with herbs. Drink within two years to appreciate all its freshness and brilliance.

YARD Orange, White 2022

Danis dans la vigne

With YARD Orange, Danis dans la vigne ventures into the realm of skin-contact white wines, known as "orange" wines, which challenge traditional perceptions. This natural 100% Colombard cuvée, made from organically grown grapes on the clay-limestone soils of southern Lot, embodies a free and contemporary vision of white wine, full of color, energy, and sincerity.

An artisanal and precise orange wine

Several days of skin maceration allow this Colombard to extract aromas, body, and a subtle golden hue from its skins. No enological additives are used: spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no fining or filtration, and seven months of aging in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fruit's crispness. The result is a pure, vibrant, uncompromising natural wine.

A bright and lively palate

The nose evokes ripe apricot, citrus zest, and a very refreshing herbaceous touch. On the palate, the attack is frank and taut, with a beautiful structure provided by very fine tannins from the maceration. The overall impression is lively, easy-drinking, and leaves a tonic sensation on the finish.

For the curious and the unconventional

YARD Orange is best enjoyed between 10 and 12 °C, without decanting. It will naturally find its place as an aperitif, with vegetarian dishes, white meats, or Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. It is an enlightened thirst-quenching wine, to be drunk young to fully appreciate its fruity expression and freshness.

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.

Coince ta bulle 2023 sparkling rosé

Château Frédignac

Terroir, plot size and grape varieties

In the heart of the Blaye-Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation, on the right bank of the Gironde estuary, flourish the vines of Château Frédignac, a family estate driven by the sincere commitment of Vignobles L'Amouller. It is here, on sunny and breezy slopes, that Merlot finds its ideal expression. This emblematic Bordeaux variety, usually vinified as a red wine, reveals itself here in an unexpected and seductive light: as a naturally sparkling rosé. The temperate climate and clay-limestone soils of the vineyard lend the "Coince ta bulle" cuvée a beautiful freshness, a natural vivacity, and a crisp fruitiness that evokes the pure pleasure of the moment.

Cultivation methods

True to a peasant philosophy that respects all living things, the estate is managed using certified organic farming methods, bearing the AB and Nature & Progrès labels. Here, the vines are nurtured without synthetic inputs, in a careful balance between soil, plant, and human intervention. Biodiversity is encouraged, treatments are gentle and measured, and every intervention is carried out with the aim of preserving the soil's identity and the purity of the fruit. This approach naturally extends to the cellar, where the "Coince ta bulle" cuvée is crafted using the ancestral method: a single fermentation, without the addition of yeasts or sulfites, resulting in a brut sparkling wine that is spontaneous and vibrant. A free wine, reflecting the spirit of those who make it.

Tasting & pairings

"Coince ta bulle" 2023 is an invitation to lightness, freshness, and the simple joy of a shared moment. Its pale pink, delicately cloudy color heralds a vibrant nose of small red fruits—fresh strawberry, tangy raspberry—mingled with a lively touch of pink grapefruit. On the palate, the bubbles are fine and joyful, with a crisp and thirst-quenching attack. The fruit expresses itself naturally, in a perfect balance between natural sweetness and saline tension.

Ideal for relaxed moments, this naturally sparkling rosé is the perfect accompaniment to a summer aperitif, a platter of grilled vegetables, sushi, or marinated fish. It also works wonders at a barbecue with friends, where its light and fruity character refreshes the palate and sparks conversation. A wine for pure enjoyment, sincere and unpretentious, proving that natural wines can also be festive.

La Syrah de la Pinède Red 2022

Fond Cyprès

La Syrah de la Pinède 2022 from Fond Cyprès is a true ode to nature and the terroir of Languedoc-Roussillon. Produced on a north-facing plot surrounded by a pine forest, this cuvée embodies a perfect balance between freshness and concentration. The rich, fresh clay-limestone soils allow the 15-year-old Syrah vines to develop a beautiful maturity until the end of September, giving the wine an elegant structure and expressive aromas.

Vinification and Aging: Respect for the Terroir

The grapes are harvested by hand, then carefully destemmed before a gentle three-week maceration. Traditional vinification respects the grapes, using indigenous yeasts and without the addition of additives or filtration, thus highlighting the authenticity of this natural wine. The wine is aged in 42 hl wooden vats for 10 months, preserving the wine's memory and allowing it to develop a subtle depth and complexity.

Tasting: An Elegant and Expressive Syrah

On the nose, La Syrah de la Pinède reveals captivating aromas of red fruits and black olives, distinctive signs of its Mediterranean terroir. On the palate, we find this same freshness, due to the northern exposure of the vine, combined with a beautiful concentration reminiscent of the generosity of the southern sun. Its silky texture and fine tannins offer a persistent and balanced length on the palate.

Food and Wine Pairing: Ideal Companion to Roast Meats

This red wine pairs wonderfully with roast meats, revealing all its aromatic richness and delicate structure. Serve it between 14 and 16 degrees, and don't hesitate to decant it to release all its aromatic complexity. With an aging potential of more than 10 years, this wine will evolve magnificently in the cellar.

Respect for the Environment: An Organic Commitment

Certified organic farming (Eurofeuille), La Syrah de la Pinède 2022 embodies Fond Cyprès' commitment to environmentally friendly viticulture. Without synthetic products or industrial yeasts, this wine is the pure expression of its terroir.

Canotière Red 2021

Danis dans la vigne

Canotière is an organic and natural Cahors red wine produced by Danis Bessières (Danis dans la vigne) in the Vin de France category. It is part of his "Esprit du lieu" range of single-plot cuvées. The name of this cuvée alludes to the puppies that attack the grape pickers and to the meandering Lot River near the plot.

Vinification

The plot from which Canotière comes, on the banks of the Lot, is planted with Malbec, the emblematic grape variety of Cahors. Danis' single-plot cuvées are vinified by Danis with a certain neutrality, adapted to the grape variety, in order to highlight the vintage and the place. They are often "easier" than other cuvées.

Tasting

Canotière is a beautiful red wine from Cahors that has the particularity of not emphasizing the density of the grape variety. The somewhat delicate conditions of the vintage produced a refreshing, vegetal and minty wine. The olfactory attack evokes a mentholated chewing gum and the palate is very pleasant, fresh, fruity and herbaceous, with a cherry side without excess ripeness.

Learn more about Danis dans la vigne

Under the name Danis dans la vigne, Danis Bessières vinifies organic grapes from the family property, the Domaine de l’Antenet, which was the first organic vineyard in Cahors in the early 1980s.

Organic and natural since 1983

Danis respects the principles established in the vineyard and cellar by his grandfather and then his father: making wines without additives, organic and natural, from the grape varieties of the terroir while respecting the environment. It was in 1983 that his grandfather obtained the organic label Lemaire-Boucher, followed by Nature & Progress followed by AB and Eurofeuille organic labels. Danis Bessières continues this momentum.

Malbec, but not only

Malbec reigns supreme in the Cahors region, but Danis also uses Cabernets, Jurançon Noir, Merlot, and recently created grape varieties, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Colombard as single-varietals. These experiments allow him to moderate the density and opacity of the main grape variety.

Cuvée Mourvèdre Red 2022

Fréderic Cossard

Frédéric Cossard's Cuvée M Mourvèdre is an organic and natural red wine made from Mourvèdre from the Mont Ventoux region in the lower Rhône Valley, and vinified in Burgundy. This is an excellent wine for laying down, with presence and personality.

Vinification

One hundred percent organic Mourvèdre from the southern Rhône Valley, harvested by hand, M Mourvèdre is macerated in whole bunches in a prefermentative manner, then fermented for a long time using indigenous yeasts and aged for one year in concrete eggs. No sulfites are added.

Tasting

Nicely structured, M Mourvèdre offers very fresh fruit (blackberry, raspberry) and ripe, fine tannins. Secondary notes of Mediterranean plants. Elegant and dense, yet fluid, this very tasty natural wine will be perfect for all your dinner parties, barbecues, and gourmet celebrations. He likes grilled Red Meats, black truffles, cold meats and cured meats, but you can make a (high-end) all-terrain table wine with it.

Learn more about Frédéric Cossard and the Domaine de Chassorney

Frédéric Cossard and the Domaine de Chassorney gives voice in organic and natural mode to the terroirs and wines of Burgundy and elsewhere, undistorted by agricultural chemistry, according to the style and convictions of this winegrower and merchant. Wherever his grapes come from, his wines bear the Cossard brand, both classic and innovative.

Between viticulture and trade

Frédéric Cossard created the Chassorney estate 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 trading house and buys organic grapes from the greatest climates of Burgundy, but also from Jura, Languedoc and elsewhere.

A solid commitment to nature

At Frédéric Cossard, the work of the soil and the vines is done naturally: plowing by horse, no chemical fertilizers or weedkillers. The vines are tended biodynamically, the harvest is manual, carried out at full maturity. Frédéric Cossard's vintages are rare and sought-after wines, always highly anticipated but which sometimes require waiting.

We Are Young Rouge Beaujolais Nouveau 2024,

Domaine de la Sorbiere
We Are Young is an organic and natural red wine from the Beaujolais terroir produced by Cyril Alonso (winemaker) and Jacques Juillard (winemaker) exclusively for Culinaries and in the Beaujolais-Villages appellation. This is indeed a Beaujolais Nouveau — our Beaujolais Nouveau! — vinified without sulfites or any additives. A pure, natural Gamay juice bursting with youth!

Vinification
The organic Gamay grapes that produced this We Are Young cuvée are grown in Saint-Lager (Rhône) on the granite soils of the Domaine de la Sorbière, owned by winemaker Jacques Juillard, and vinified by Cyril Alonso at the same estate. The two winemakers are used to collaborating together on certain vintages. This 100% Gamay Beaujolais Nouveau is the result of hand-harvesting, a short semi-carbonic maceration (five days) followed by an equally short aging (four days) in stainless steel vats. It is a new wine with all the clarity and indulgence that this implies. No inputs, no chemicals in the vineyard or cellar.

Tasting
We Are Young by Cyril Alonso and Jacques Juillard is an exquisite, delicate and indulgent wine, with a beautiful balance of acidity, fruitiness and sweetness. Its clear and bright light coral color already whets the appetite, and the nose evokes white flowers, a cottage garden in bloom, fresh grapes, raspberries and strawberries. On the palate, we savor Montmorency cherries, Gariguette strawberries, and fresh orange or mandarin peel. It's surprisingly easy to drink, and since its season is short, make the most of it!

Learn more about Tribu Alonso
This tribal name refers to Cyril Alonso, a winemaker, his wife, a naturopath, and their family. They maintain, using organic farming methods, a conservatory of traditional grape varieties from the Rhône-Alpes region located in Marchampt (Rhône), in the heart of the Beaujolais Vert region. This two-and-a-half-hectare vineyard, which existed since 1952, contained forty grape varieties. It currently contains one hundred and forty. This unique location gives Tribu Alonso wines their distinctive style. Instead of being single-varietal microcuvées, they are quite the opposite: wines by grape family, either a Chardonnay containing all the Chardonnays of the house or a multi-Gamay Gamay.

A biotope classified in 2008
The estate enjoys a unique ecological location: the house and the vineyard are surrounded by intact forests, on the steep terrain of northern Beaujolais. Three rivers cross it, and the vines, close to the bedrock, capture all the minerality of the soil. Organic farming is practiced and the work, in the vineyard as well as in the cellar, is entirely manual, without the use of any chemical additives or sulfites in the vinification.

The wines
Complantation cuvées (and for good reason), the wines of Tribu Alonso embrace all the complexity of their grape varieties and the viticultural history of Beaujolais. These are carefully crafted wines, fermented and aged to the sound of Tibetan bowls, whose alpha waves are beneficial to the liquids. The vatting periods are short, to preserve the freshness and fruit, as well as the signature of the soil and grape varieties.

Nuria Montanega-Parellada White 2017

Clos Lentiscus

In Sitges, in Penedès (Catalonia), in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park, Manel Avinyo and his brother Joan took over the family estate, which Manel renamed Clos Lentiscus. 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, and the 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, the family of Manel and Joan Avinyo has been established there since at least the 14th century. For a long time, the grapes were sold to local cooperatives, but since the two brothers took over the estate, organic and biodynamic farming has replaced conventional practices, the entire harvest goes into the house vintages, and organic and biodynamic practices have allowed this beautiful property to reconnect with 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 native 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, sometimes 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.

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. 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.

Núria is the name of Manel's daughter, who assisted her father in the making of this beautiful wine made from Montanega, a variant of the native Parellada grape variety. Lightly disgorged, made using the ancestral method (cava), this surprising wine presents notes of fresh bread and brioche, green tea and apple. Fresh and dry at the same time, it is disconcertingly complex: alive and moving in the glass, we keep coming back to it.

Mérens Red 2019,

Domaine Bois Moisset

The Mérens 2019 cuvée from Domaine Bois Moisset is a magnificent expression of Southwestern grape varieties. A balanced blend of Duras and Syrah, this natural wine reveals a fresh and peppery profile, carried by aromas of crisp red fruits and a delicately spiced structure. A characterful red, ideal for enjoying convivial moments around a beautiful table or a barbecue with friends.

A meticulous terroir and vinification

Made from vines aged 30 years for the Duras and 16 years for the Syrah, Mérens draws its identity from rich and diverse soils: the Duras thrives on a north-facing gravelly slope, while the Syrah grows on boulbènes and silts dotted with rolled pebbles. The 2019 vintage was marked by a rainy spring followed by a hot summer, precipitating the harvests which began on September 7 for Duras and September 18 for Syrah. The vinification follows a natural approach: fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no added sulfites, and aging for several months in cement barrels, allowing for a beautiful expression of the fruit and terroir.

A vibrant and delicious wine

From the moment it is opened, Mérens 2019 reveals a expressive nose with accents of blackcurrant, morello cherry and black pepper. On the palate, freshness dominates, with a lively attack, followed by a beautiful fruity depth and a spicy structure that lengthens the wine into a persistent finish. Its balance between acidity, richness, and fine tannic structure makes this a red that is as accessible as it is captivating.

Food Pairings and Tasting Moments

After a light decanting, Mérens reveals itself in all its splendor. Served around 16°C, it will go wonderfully with grilled meats, red meats, charcuterie and artisanal cured meats. Perfect for a summer barbecue, a gourmet aperitif or a warm meal with friends, it is a wine for sharing and pleasure, to be enjoyed now or kept for a few years.

I'm Natural Don't Panic #7 Red 2018

Bodegas Coruña del Conde
Julien López's I'm Natural, Don't Panic range consists of macerated wines. This 100% Tempranillo red is powerful, dense, and generous, but not lacking in freshness, the result of a high-altitude climate that subjects the vines to significant temperature variations. A lovely bouquet of red and black fruits. Decanting will allow it to express its full opulence. For grilled meats, roast lamb, grilled octopus, stews, cocido.
Ideally a wine to be decanted.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Cuvée Mourvèdre Rouge 2021

Fréderic 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 one 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 wines of Burgundy, undistorted by agricultural chemicals. Having observed, during his years of trading, the existence of harmful wine-growing 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 for some time 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 trading house and bought 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, as vintages are made from grapes purchased in the Jura, Languedoc, and elsewhere. At his farm, the soil and vines are worked as naturally as possible: regular horse-drawn ploughing, no addition of chemical fertilizers or weedkillers. The vines are tended according to biodynamic principles: 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.

Puls'Art Blanc 2021

Domaine Einhart
The color of this Puls'Art, a splendid macerated white wine, is bright orange. The first nose, very appealing, brings aromas of candied apricot and rose petals. The second nose, very fresh, evokes green cardamom. The attack on the palate is full-bodied, balanced, with a velvety sensation. On the palate, we find the ripe apricot aromas of the first nose. The finish is powerful and spicy, vibrant, "a limestone lollipop," as the winemaker calls it. Don't confuse this Puls'Art with a Poulsard because of its name (the Poulsard grape variety is from the Jura region, a little further south). This magical wine is called Puls'Art simply because it pulsates, and Gewurztraminer macerated on the skins is a great art, we affirm. The Gewurztraminers, aged twenty-five years and entirely from the estate, are harvested by hand, then destemmed. Maceration takes between four and nine days and fermentation is done with indigenous yeasts. Aging on fine lees is ten months in barrels and precedes bottling without filtration. From the vineyard to the cellar, this wine was made without any additives. Decanting is recommended so that your Puls’Art can spread its wings and express its mineral and charming notes, both earthy and exotic.

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 oolitic 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 a co-founder, Nicolas devotes his winemaking to protecting the land and biodiversity, making wine without inputs, refusing harmful phytosanitary products, and maintaining ecological refuge areas. His estate has been certified organic since 2011. Like Jean-Marc Dreyer [link], he is firmly focused on skin maceration and produces white maceration wines (orange wines) in addition to a Pinot Noir red. Entirely manual harvests, destemming of the grapes, 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 grapes, lively, powerful, and tonic, and transcribe the minerality of the very beautiful terroirs of the Vosges foothills.

Es d'aqui M&M Rouge 2020, Jean Louis Pinto
Prodigiously aromatic, a little tannic, this wine is sure to surprise. It is a blend of Muscat of Alexandria (40%) and Mourvèdre (40%) on clay-limestone soils. By combining these grape varieties, we are sure to produce a rather atypical red, especially since the wine is obtained from various macerations and direct pressings. The grapes come from vines on clay-limestone soil and are aged in resin vats.

To find out more
A child of Ariège, Jean-Louis Pinto chose to stay in the region and make wines that resemble their terroir, hence the name Es d’Aqui (“It’s, it’s from here”) that he gave to his winemaking business, located in Moulin-Neuf, a town near Aude, between Mirepoix and Limoux. A region where vines once abounded, until the major mildew attacks at the beginning of the 20th century. Jean-Louis buys grapes grown organically by other winegrowers, his friends, in whom he has complete confidence. He doesn't just buy the product, he monitors the fruit set, the ripening, and makes regular visits until August, in order to know the grapes before harvesting them. He vinifies them at home using natural methods, practicing long macerations on whole bunches. The three-week maceration is common at his place, as well as very gentle pressings in a vertical press. He has, he says, "a lot of vines in common" with his friend Anthony Tortul (La Sorga). His collection area extends throughout the Languedoc, and particularly in the Hérault, around Adissan, Faugères and Saint-Chinian, as well as in the Aude (Limoux) and the Tarn (Gaillac), two terroirs that are dear to him. It turns out that the typical Languedoc soils – schist, basalt, pebbles, clay-siliceous – particularly appeal to him for the freshness they give to the wines. “I make wines from the South,” he says. “I mainly look for terroirs that give freshness, even if the wines are 14% alcohol.” The grape varieties are, of course, typically Languedoc: Grenache, Carignan, Mauzac, Cinsault, Braucol, Duras, and Sauvignon. The most powerful reds are made in five terracotta jars, which help him control extraction and give his wines, he says, “a very crystalline quality.” The soil, the location, as you can see, are of the utmost importance to him: once again, the name of his estate, Es d’Aqui, was not chosen by chance.

Es d'aqui Paloma Red 2020,

Jean-Louis Pinto

Notes of strawberry, plenty of acidity, and a delicious flavor. Paloma is a light, thirst-quenching red, claret, almost a rosé. The grapes all come from Adissan, in the Hérault region: Clairette, Colombard on a strip of basalt soil, and Grenache on lacustrine limestone. The harvest macerates whole bunches for two weeks in stainless steel vats. Half of the wine is aged in 500-liter barrels and the other half in resin vats.

To find out more

A child of Ariège, Jean-Louis Pinto chose to stay in the country and make wines that resemble their terroir, hence the name Es d’Aqui (“It’s, it’s from here”) that he gave to his winemaking business, located in Moulin-Neuf, a town near Aude, between Mirepoix and Limoux. A region where vines once abounded, until the major mildew attacks at the beginning of the 20th century. Jean-Louis buys grapes grown organically by other winegrowers, his friends, in whom he has complete confidence. He doesn’t just buy the product, he monitors the fruit set, the ripening, and makes regular visits until August, in order to know the grapes before harvesting them. He vinifies it at home using natural methods, practicing long macerations with whole bunches. A three-week maceration is common for him, as are very gentle pressings in a vertical press. He says he has "a lot of vines in common" with his friend Anthony Tortul (La Sorga). His collection area extends throughout the Languedoc, particularly in the Hérault, around Adissan, Faugères and Saint-Chinian, as well as in the Aude (Limoux) and Tarn (Gaillac), two terroirs that are dear to him. It turns out that the typical Languedoc soils – schist, basalt, pebbles, clay-siliceous – particularly appeal to him for the freshness they give to the wines. "I make wines from the South," he says. I especially look for terroirs that give freshness, even if the wines are 14 degrees. " The grape varieties are, of course, typically Languedoc: Grenache, Carignan, Mauzac, Cinsault, Braucol, Duras and Sauvignon. The most powerful reds are made in five terracotta jars, which help him control the extraction and give his wines, he says, "a very crystalline side." The soil, the place, as we understand it, are of the utmost importance to him: once again, the name of his estate Es d'Aqui was not chosen by chance.

Es d'aqui Nino Rouge 2019

Jean Louis Pinto
The attack is rustic and earthy, the finish fruity and complex. On the palate, this wine, which may seem austere in its early years, eventually develops a vegetal side, notes of candied fruit, and beautiful tannins. It is a 100% Braucol from the Gaillac region! The harvest comes from Permian clay-limestone and gravel soils located on the Grésigne dome. It macerates for two weeks in whole bunches in sandstone jars.

To find out more
A child of Ariège, Jean-Louis Pinto chose to stay in the country and make wines that resemble their terroir, hence the name Es d’Aqui (“It’s, it’s from here”) that he gave to his winemaking business, located in Moulin-Neuf, a town near Aude, between Mirepoix and Limoux. A region where vines once abounded, until the major mildew attacks at the beginning of the 20th century. Jean-Louis buys grapes grown organically by other winegrowers, his friends, in whom he has complete confidence. He doesn’t just buy the product, he monitors the fruit set, the ripening, and makes regular visits until August, in order to know the grapes before harvesting them. He vinifies it at home using natural methods, practicing long macerations with whole bunches. A three-week maceration is common for him, as are very gentle pressings in a vertical press. He says he has "a lot of vines in common" with his friend Anthony Tortul (La Sorga). His collection area extends throughout the Languedoc, particularly in the Hérault, around Adissan, Faugères and Saint-Chinian, as well as in the Aude (Limoux) and Tarn (Gaillac), two terroirs that are dear to him. It turns out that the typical Languedoc soils – schist, basalt, pebbles, clay-siliceous – particularly appeal to him for the freshness they give to the wines. "I make wines from the South," he says. I especially look for terroirs that give freshness, even if the wines are 14 degrees. " The grape varieties are, of course, typically Languedoc: Grenache, Carignan, Mauzac, Cinsault, Braucol, Duras and Sauvignon. The most powerful reds are made in five terracotta jars, which help him control the extraction and give his wines, he says, "a very crystalline side." The soil, the place, as we understand it, are of the utmost importance to him: once again, the name of his estate Es d'Aqui was not chosen by chance.

Danslezetoiles Rouge 2019

Es d'aqui 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. Lots of aromatic presence, character and originality.

To find out more
A child of Ariège, Jean-Louis Pinto chose to stay in the country and make wines that resemble their terroir, hence the name Es d’Aqui (“It’s, it’s from here”) that he gave to his winemaking business, located in Moulin-Neuf, a town near Aude, between Mirepoix and Limoux. A region where vines once abounded, until the major mildew attacks at the beginning of the 20th century. Jean-Louis buys grapes grown organically by other winegrowers, his friends, in whom he has complete confidence. He doesn’t just buy the product, he monitors the fruit set, the ripening, and makes regular visits until August, in order to know the grapes before harvesting them. He vinifies it at home using natural methods, practicing long macerations with whole bunches. A three-week maceration is common for him, as are very gentle pressings in a vertical press. He says he has "a lot of vines in common" with his friend Anthony Tortul (La Sorga, see link). His collection area extends throughout the Languedoc, particularly in the Hérault, around Adissan, Faugères and Saint-Chinian, as well as in the Aude (Limoux) and Tarn (Gaillac), two terroirs that are dear to him. It turns out that the typical Languedoc soils – schist, basalt, pebbles, clay-siliceous – particularly appeal to him for the freshness they give to the wines. "I make wines from the South," he says. "I especially look for terroirs that give freshness, even if the wines have an alcohol content of 14%." » The grape varieties are, of course, typically Languedoc: Grenache, Carignan, Mauzac, Cinsault, Braucol, Duras and Sauvignon. The most powerful reds are made in five terracotta jars, which help him control the extraction and give his wines, he says, "a very crystalline side." The soil, the location, as we understand it, are of the utmost importance to him: once again, the name of his estate Es d'Aqui was not chosen by chance.

Fond 1er Jus Rouge 2020,

Fond Cyprès
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 had a clear objective: "to produce southern wines that reflect our style, wines with character, rooted in our soils, with freshness and refined tannins." They want to create entirely natural wines, concentrated expressions of terroir. In the heart of the ancient Corbières massif, they are taking over an old estate already planted with abandoned Carignan and Grenache grapes, which have seen neither fertilizer nor pesticides for years: these clean, vibrant soils are ideal conditions for launching into natural winemaking. 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 fruit expression, the wines of Fond Cyprès reflect the South: the caress of its sun, but also the freshness of its shadows.
Premier Jus is a blend of Carignan and Grenache grown on marl-limestone soils. The two harvests are processed separately: the Carignan is macerated for two days in whole bunches, then added to the Grenache must in direct pressing and during fermentation. Everything is pressed directly. A six-month aging in barrels precedes bottling without the addition of sulfites. This wine is the very image of a gurgling pleasure: a juicy bomb that oscillates between light red and dark rosé. Fresh, fruity, delicious, addictive, it awakens the spirit dulled by the summer heat.
Natural wine without added sulfites.

Les Cadets Rouge 2019

Château Les Graves de Viaud
A typical Bordeaux blend, the Côtes-de-Bourg of the Les Cadets cuvée is composed of Cabernet (Sauvignon and Franc, 70%) and Merlot (30%) grown on iron-rich silty gravel and clayey gravel, and co-fermented in stainless steel vats for better synergy between the grape varieties. Vinification begins with a cold prefermentative maceration and continues with a gentle, slow extraction. Fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts; no sulfites are added. The wine is aged in sandstone amphorae for at least ten months on fine lees to refine the tannins. The geological conditions give the Cabernets a refreshing tannic base and accentuate the roundness and fruitiness of the Merlot, while giving it a very seductive floral aromatic palette. The bouquet of blackcurrant and blackberry that appears on the nose is confirmed on the palate. 2019 is still young as we write these lines: this wine will wait a few years, and it will only get better for it.