Gift Ideas for Rookies

Cyprès de Toi Rosé 2022

Fond Cyprès
If you serve this wine very chilled on a very hot day, you'll be thanked, because that's its purpose. Lively, tangy yet velvety, full of character, it can be drunk on any occasion and at any time of day. Cyprès de Toi Rosé offers a lovely color of soft salmon pink and wild strawberry, but make no mistake: it won't sing you a lullaby. Powerful and assertive, perfectly dry, beautifully balanced between fruit and acidity, it hasn't forgotten its Malbec of origin, whose grapes were purchased from a certified organic winemaker. Malbec, in fact, benefits from rosé vinification, as it is one of the varieties that produces very vinous rosés with substance. The grapes undergo direct pressing and traditional vinification, using indigenous yeasts and without additives. Settling is done in the cold and fermentation, as well as aging, are carried out in stainless steel vats. A light filtration is done before bottling.

To find out more
This Corbières 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 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 took over an old estate already planted with abandoned Carignan and Grenache vines, which had not seen any fertilizer or pesticides for years: these clean and vibrant soils were 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 assessed 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.

Fond 1er Jus Rouge 2021,

Fond Cyprès
Premier Jus is the very image of a delicious gurgle: a juicy bomb that oscillates between light red and dark rosé. Fresh, fruity, delicious, and addictive, it awakens the mind dulled by the summer heat. It is the result of 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 a direct press during fermentation. Everything is pressed directly. Aged for six months in barrels, it is then bottled without added sulfites.

Find out more
This Corbières 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 us, wines with character, attached to our soils, with freshness and refined tannins." They wanted to obtain entirely natural wines, concentrates of terroir. In the heart of the old Corbières massif, they took over an old heart of an estate already planted with abandoned Carignan and Grenache, which had seen neither fertilizer nor pesticides for years: these clean and living soils were 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. 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 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 signature of the soil. Deliciously balanced between mineral imprint, plant environment, and fruit expression, the wines of Fond Cyprès reflect the South of France: the caress of its sun, but also the freshness of its shadows.

Esprit Attila Red 2016

La Sorga

This blend is composed of 60% Syrah (from thirty-five-year-old vines), with the remainder consisting of Carignan, Grenache, Merlot, and Alicante Bouschet. The grapes macerate in whole bunches for ninety days in a near-infusion and are aged in concrete vats and amphorae for one year. Its aromas of violet and red fruits will pair well with red meats, especially lamb. Aging potential: twenty years.

Pairs with: Red Meats, Roasted Meats, Grilled Meats

Volnay Red 2018

Frederic Cossard

The Volnay AOC is perched on the heights of the Côte de Beaune. This wine comes from a steep terroir, facing west-southeast and located between 230 and 280 meters above sea level. The soils are mainly limestone, stony, ferruginous and reddish. The grapes macerate in whole bunches. Aging is approximately one year in barrels. Nose of black cherry and candied fruit.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Régnié la haute ronze Red 2017

Nicolas Chemarin

La Haute Ronze is one of two plots cultivated by Nicolas in the Régnié appellation; it is considered of very high quality, with deep clay soils that produce full-bodied wines. This 100% Gamay is obtained through semi-carbonic maceration and aged for approximately twenty months (half in barrels, half in stainless steel vats). It offers notes of leather, earth, and Mediterranean herbs (oregano, rosemary), through its red fruits.

A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Champagne Fleur d'Etoile Extra-Brut White non-vintage,

Champagne Fleury

Fleur d'étoile is a zero-dosage extra-brut vinified without sulfur. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in 228-liter Burgundy barrels and aging is 99 months on slats. The result is a ripe and distinguished champagne, a textured wine with a brilliant color with golden yellow highlights, very emblematic of the Aube terroir. The nose, clean and aromatic, offers floral and vinous aromas. The attack on the palate confirms the balance, the mid-palate is characterized by freshness and acidity, and the finish offers aromas of citron peel with a nice bitterness. To serve it at the table, think of a galette des Rois filled with almond cream with candied citrus peel, aged comté cheese, or fine dishes in sauce (fish or poultry with yellow wine).

To find out more

Four generations of winemakers have succeeded one another at the head of Maison Fleury, a pioneer of biodynamics and natural wine in Champagne. Organic farming has been practiced for around thirty years with Demeter and Biodyvin certifications, and the vines have not seen any herbicides for fifty years. Fleury stands out for its organic and natural vintages, typical of the Côte des Bar, where Pinot Noir dominates, the main grape variety in this Fleur d'étoile vintage, with a touch of Chardonnay. The vines grow mainly on Kimmeridgian limestone, with a few plots on calcareous marl.

Kikiriki Black Red 2018

Clos Lentiscus

Elegance, purity, and a crisp minerality due to the limestone characterize the productions of Clos Lentiscus. The note of controlled oxidation, when present, does not dominate the tasting, and the wines are never deviant. The cavas are renowned for their exuberance, but those from Clos Lentiscus never have more than two grams of residual sugar per liter. The estate also produces still wines, red, white, and rosé.

Learn more

This Cocorico (in Catalan) is a red made from a blend of Tempranillo and Cariñena (Carignan). Aromatic and light, it comes in a one-liter bottle and is not a luxury: this distinguished gurgle, at the table and as an aperitif, will go well with everything. A very good wine for tapas and al fresco dining.

It is in Sitges, Catalonia, in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park, that 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, 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. Manel quickly earned a nickname: The Bubbleman, a tribute to his talent for making cavas, the sparkling white wines characteristic of the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, from native varieties that only Catalonia has the secret to: sumoll, ull de llebre, xarel·lo, malvasia from Sitges, cartoixà vermell, cariñena (carignan), accompanied by tempranillo and muscat from 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.

Beaujolais Lancié Red 2019,

Domaine Bélicard

In the heart of the Beaujolais Villages AOP, Domaine Bélicard creates an authentic and delicious cuvée with its Beaujolais Lancié 2019. Coming from a vineyard rooted in granite soils, this wine is a true ode to the Gamay Noir grape variety, enhanced by traditional carbonic maceration vinification. With its 53-year-old vines, this cuvée perfectly illustrates the finesse and freshness characteristic of the best Beaujolais Villages.

A Gamay to taste!

Vinified using carbonic maceration, a typical Beaujolais process that enhances the fruit and supple tannins, this wine is then aged for 9 months in wooden vats, giving it both roundness and liveliness. Its controlled aging highlights all the freshness and delicacy of the terroir, without masking the aromatic purity of the Gamay.

A floral nose and a delicious palate

Upon opening, the Beaujolais Lancié 2019 reveals an expressive nose, dominated by floral notes and crisp red fruits (cherry, redcurrant). On the palate, the balance is perfect between freshness and deliciousness, with fine tannins that provide a silky texture and a juicy, thirst-quenching finish.

How to enjoy this bottle?

Served slightly chilled at 14-16°C, this wine for sharing is perfect as an aperitif, but also with summer barbecues, a charcuterie board or simple, convivial dishes. With an aging potential of 5 years, it will evolve towards even more complex aromas.

1er Jus Red 2023

Fond Cyprès

Fond Cyprès's 1er Jus 2023 is a bold and original expression of the Languedoc-Roussillon terroir. This red wine, made from a blend of Carignan and Grenache Noir, offers a unique and fluid taste experience, halfway between a red wine and a rosé. With a moderate alcohol content of 12.5°, it stands out for its freshness and lightness, perfect for convivial moments.

Terroir and Vinification

The Carignan and Grenache Noir vines grow on clay-limestone soils typical of the region, giving this wine a subtle minerality and a beautiful structure. The vinification is carried out according to a unique method: the whole bunches of Carignan are immersed in a saignée of Grenache in full fermentation, with pressing two days later. This process begins as a rosé vinification and ends in red, giving the 1er Jus Domaine its unique character and light color.

Aged for 6 months in stainless steel vats, this wine is made with indigenous yeasts, guaranteeing a pure expression of the fruit and terroir. The minimal presence of sulfur and light filtration ensure a respectful and natural approach to the wine.

Tasting and Food Pairing

On the nose, the 1er Jus 2023 seduces with fresh and vibrant raspberry aromas. On the palate, it reveals a fluid, almost airy texture, with a fruity and elegant finish. It pairs ideally with a beautiful charcuterie board or as a convivial aperitif, best served chilled between 12 and 14 degrees for an optimal experience. This natural wine can be kept for up to five years, but it also tastes great young.

Respect for the environment

Certified organic (Eurofeuille label), this wine respects sustainable and ecological viticultural practices. Fond Cyprès is committed to producing natural wines without synthetic chemicals, allowing the richness of the terroir and the authenticity of the grape varieties to fully express themselves.

Puls'Art White 2022

Domaine Einhart

Here's Puls'Art from Domaine Einhart, a natural, organic (Ecocert) macerated white wine classified as AOC Alsace. Don't confuse it with a Poulsard because of its name (the Poulsard grape variety is found in the Jura region, a little further south). This magical wine is called Puls’Art simply because it pulses, and skin-macerated Gewurztraminer is a great art—we affirm it.

Vinification

The Gewurztraminers used to produce Puls’Art, aged twenty-five years and sourced entirely on the estate, are harvested by hand and then destemmed. Maceration lasts one week, and fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts. Aging on fine lees is ten months in barrels, followed by unfiltered bottling. From the vine to the cellar, this wine was made without any additives.

Tasting

Puls’Art has a bright orange color. 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 ample, balanced, with a velvety sensation. On the palate, we find the aromas of ripe apricot from the first nose. The finish is powerful and spicy, vibrant, "a limestone lollipop," according to the winemaker's expression. Decanting is recommended so that your Puls'Art spreads its wings and expresses its mineral and charming notes, both earthy and exotic. For pairings, it is all-terrain but also capable of the most delicate associations: do not hesitate to pair it with smoked fish, fine poultry, white meats, game birds, a wild mushroom risotto, and cheeses.

Learn more about the Einhart estate

In the northern part of the Alsatian vineyard, the Einhart estate is a ten-hectare family estate whose vines grow on the foothills of the Vosges mountains. The soil is clay-limestone and rich in fossils (muschelkalk, or shell limestone and oolite limestone, and lettenkohle or dolomitic limestone).

A family estate

Since 1990, Nicolas Einhart has been at the helm, now assisted by his son Théo. Faithful to his commitments to the TIFLO association, of which he is co-founder, Nicolas devotes his winemaking work to protecting the land and biodiversity, making wine without additives, refusing harmful phytosanitary products and maintaining ecological refuge areas. Its estate has been certified organic (Ecocert and AB) since 2011. The estate produces white wines from maceration or direct pressing and a Pinot Noir red.

The best of Alsatian terroirs

Entirely manual harvests, 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 these very beautiful terroirs of the Vosges foothills.

Fleurie Grand-Pré Red 2019,

Domaine Bélicard

Nestled in the heart of Beaujolais, the Fleurie AOP appellation is renowned for its elegant and floral wines. Domaine Bélicard, certified organic (AB), delivers a remarkably fine cuvée, produced from 36-year-old vines planted in granite soils.

A Fleurie of elegance and depth

Vinified using traditional whole-bunch maceration in old wooden vats, this wine benefits from gentle extraction, respecting all the delicacy of Gamay Noir. Its 4-day aging preserves the freshness and pure expression of the terroir.

A floral nose and a full palate

From the first nose, this organic Fleurie reveals deep aromas of candied red fruits, enhanced with floral and spicy notes. On the palate, the balance is perfect between roundness and finesse, with an elegant and persistent finish.

What to enjoy this wine with?

Ideal at 14-16°C, this wine goes wonderfully with grilled fish, salads and barbecues. Its 5-year aging potential will allow for a beautiful aromatic evolution.

Xarel lo Macabeu White 2019

Cyclic Beer Farm

Xarel lo-Macabeu is, as its name suggests, a blend of equal parts Catalan Xarel lo and Macabeu grape varieties grown in Pla de Penedès (Alto Penedés) on clay-limestone soils at an altitude of between 200 and 230 meters. The vines are between 35 and 45 years old. The grapes are sorted, crushed, and macerated with the stems and skins, two days for the Xarel lo and one day for the Macabeu. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks and the two grape varieties are blended after alcoholic fermentation. The wine is fragrant, dry, aromatic, mineral, with balanced acidity and a touch of controlled oxidation.

Learn 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. As merchant winemakers, Alberto and Joshua personally harvest by hand from organic wineries throughout Catalonia and bring the harvest back to their brewery-cum-winery workshop in La Sagrera (Barcelona). There, they sort the grapes, tread them by foot, and ferment 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 whites and between six and fifteen days for 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 during vinification; nothing is added to or removed from the wine, which is never filtered. The harvest and other viticultural operations are decided according to the lunar calendar.

Vino Rosso Cereza Red 2017

Corvagialla

A light red wine made from the Italian Ciliegiolo grape variety. Unfiltered. Ideal serving temperature: 16/18°C.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Boujulais Nouveau Rouge 2021,

Patrick Bouju
At Culinaries, we're celebrating Boujulais Nouveau! A primeur wine produced by Patrick Bouju himself from 100% Gamay. A young yet successful red wine, fresh, easy-drinking, and festive.

Want to taste the Boujulais Nouveau and meet Patrick Bouju?
Meet us at YARD Mont-Louis in Paris on Thursday, November 18th, starting at 6 p.m.!
At the bar (no reservation required), you can taste the precious juice and chat with its creator. At the restaurant, a special unique menu has been created for the occasion: 100% Patrick Bouju food and wine pairings throughout the meal, to celebrate as it should be!
To find out more about YARD Mont-Louis news

Monbazar sweet white 2018,

Château Barouillet
A Monbazillac with a golden, almost amber color, reminiscent of a twenty-year-old wine. It is composed of Chenin (50%), Muscadelle (30%), and Ondec (5%) grown on clay-limestone soils. Pressing is slow and patient, in five-hour cycles, and fermentation is carried out using the grapes' natural yeasts. Fermentation is also long: twelve months. It gives the wine a full and rich nose: honey, candied fruits, and white flowers. When the balance between alcohol and residual sugars is reached, filtration is used to stop fermentation, which greatly limits the amount of SO2 without the risk of refermentation. A full-bodied, silky, round wine with a hint of acidity that gives it a lightness capable of facing all taste combinations: poultry, Maghreb or Oriental cuisine, etc. Immense aging potential, but these balanced sweet wines can be drunk young, when they are overflowing with freshness and fruit, as well as aged over fifteen or twenty years, when they become very concentrated and lend themselves to meditation. Enjoy at 7-8 °C.

Goes with: Fruit desserts, Strong cheeses, White meats, Desserts, Cheeses

The Rosé Rosé 2022

Clos Des B
Desirably fruity, marked by red fruits and citrus zest (orange and lemon), the Rosé du Clos des B is (as its name suggests) a natural rosé wine emblematic of the sandy-schist terroir of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the unique microclimate of the hills of Grimaud. It welcomes us with its nose of red fruit sorbet, notes of small red fruits on the palate, and a zesty, citrusy finish. This wine is produced in the Côtes-de-Provence appellation and made from two southern grape varieties common in the region: 90% Grenache as the majority variety and 10% Cinsault. This is a direct-pressed rosé, without prior crushing, extracted using a vertical press after destemming the grapes and vinified in stainless steel vats. No crushing is performed. The two grape varieties ferment together in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, without added sulfites. No fining, filtration, or addition of sulfites at bottling.

To find out more

Clos des B (initials of the two owners, Gwendolyn Berger and Jean-Jacques Branger) is located in Grimaud, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. They are therefore the proud producers of the very first natural cuvées from this geographical area. Those who know that this region is home to some interesting viticulture will avoid thinking of the celebrity seaside resort and swimming pool rosé: before the two Bs bought these three hectares of vines, all these wines went to the cooperative cellar of the Vignerons de Saint-Tropez. Driven by a "thirst for vines," as they put it, Gwendolyn and Jean-Jacques overcame administrative difficulties, restored the vineyard, and soon produced reds, rosés, and even a blanc de noirs. Their grape varieties are typical of the region: Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, growing on schist sands crisscrossed by quartz veins. The property benefits from a microclimate that protects the vines from humidity, disease, and frost. The viticulture and winemaking approach resolutely embraces organic (the estate has been in conversion since 2020), biodynamics, and natural methods. The wines are made without added sulfites, fining, or filtration. The wines of Clos des B are a true reflection of their terroir and climate: fresh, fruity, and very pleasant to drink.

Concerto Red 2021

Jean-Pierre Robinot

Concerto is an organic and natural red wine from the terroirs north of the Loire (Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir). It bears the distinctive mark of Pineau d'Aunis, the grape variety from which it is made, as well as the inimitable touch of its creator, Jean-Pierre Robinot.

In the vineyard and in the winery

Through Concerto, master winemaker Jean-Pierre Robinot showcases Pineau d'Aunis grown on limestone soils. The harvest is carried out by hand and vinified in whole bunches with three weeks of maceration, which gives the wine body. Aged for a year in old barrels.

Tasting

All the typical characteristics of Pineau d'Aunis: spices, cranberry, pomegranate, and a touch of raspberry. Limestone and mineral notes, a touch of undergrowth, a touch of yeast and butter, a pure and light color. A touch of menthol and black pepper on the palate. Drink with a good roast beef or lamb, a delicately roasted pigeon, charcuterie, cured meats, and even uninhibited fish such as smoked mackerel or any other smoked seafood.

Learn more about Jean-Pierre Robinot

Anyone interested in natural wine in France has crossed paths with Jean-Pierre Robinot and has never forgotten this smiling, bouncing figure. Although it has not yet been proven that all wines resemble their winemaker (a study to be undertaken), the organic and natural wines produced by Jean-Pierre, warm, friendly and luminous, are in the image of their creator. After running the wine bar L’Ange Vin for nearly fifteen years, on rue Richard-Lenoir in Paris, Jean-Pierre returned to his native Chahaignes, a small village in the south of Sarthe. His dream is to acquire his vineyard and make natural wines, without added sulfites.

Great terroirs of the Loir and tuffeau cellars

Jean-Pierre therefore reclaims hillside wasteland, on great terroirs, as well as troglodyte cellars dug into the tuffeau. 2002 will be his first vintage. At the same time, under the brand L’Opéra des vins, he vinifies organic grapes purchased from local winemakers. A member of the S.A.I.N.S. natural viticulture association, Jean-Pierre Robinot practices strict organic viticulture practices, without chemical weeding or the addition of sulfites. The soil is worked and amended with natural composts. All harvests, carried out at maturity on healthy grapes, are done by hand. The location and climate favor noble rot.

Chiroubles Red 2020,

Les En Hauts

Beaujolais as devil, Chiroubles as madness, this 100% Beaujolais Gamay from the Chiroubles appellation expresses great freshness and red and black fruits. Supple, indulgent, round, and fruity, with lovely acidity and a good deal of pleasant drinkability, this beautiful wine is the result of the combined work of winemakers Damien Coquelet and Frédéric Cossard. This wine is the result of semi-carbonic maceration of whole bunches, and is aged for ten months in concrete eggs.

Find out more
Les En-Hauts is not strictly speaking a wine estate but a project of vintages produced in partnership between Damien Coquelet and Frédéric Cossard. These two great figures of Burgundy viticulture—yes, Beaujolais is in Burgundy—had every reason to join forces to produce colorful and flavorful vintages together.
Frédéric Cossard is a biodynamic and natural star of Burgundy winemaking, who gives voice to the terroirs and Burgundy wines, undeformed by agricultural chemicals. His vintages are pure and elegant without artifice and are among the most sought-after in Burgundy. His practice is not limited to Burgundy, as vintages are made from grapes purchased in other regions. His vines are tended 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. Damien Coquelet, for his part, is the worthy successor of the great organic winemakers to whom we owe the advent of nature in the Beaujolais region: he is the son-in-law of Georges Descombes, and Jean Foillard was his mentor, who continued the pioneering work of Jules Chauvet and Marcel Lapierre. Owning nine hectares in Morgon on granite-sandy soils, he cultivates two and a half hectares plus a few leased vines: in all, four hectares on the legendary Côte du Py. A specialist in Morgons qui morgonnant and Chiroubles qui chiroublent, he embodies the true nature of Beaujolais.

Kuku Yodel White 2018

La Sorga

A dry white wine, Kuku Yodel reveals great finesse, freshness, and fruit on the nose. On the palate, the attack reminds some of an unfiltered white beer, others of a tropical lemonade. This wine is pleasant, fruity, floral, refreshing, and very fragrant. It evokes fruits such as peach, apricot, mandarin, lemon, lychee, passion fruit, and rhubarb, with a milky, yeasty finish, with the rich aroma of a summer meadow. It is made from Muscat of Alexandria, either as a single varietal or with a small proportion of Terret Bourret and Grenache Gris depending on the vintage. Kuku Yodel is a macerated white wine made from Muscat of Alexandria vines growing on the schist and clay-limestone soils of the high slopes of Hérault. The destemmed grapes macerate for forty-five days in vats, then the wine is aged for one year. Before bottling, it is neither filtered nor clarified, and no sulfites are added during the vinification process. Kuku Yodel should be drunk very chilled and can be kept for around ten years.

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Anthony Tortul loves old vineyards: he devotes his life to finding and vinifying them. Just as there are landless shepherds, he can be defined as a landless winemaker, in other words a wine merchant whose area of activity extends throughout Languedoc and, eastward, as far as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in search of the best terroirs. Born in Foix, with six years of experience as a wine technician and oenologist in various vineyards in the south of France, he created La Sorga in 2008. His enthusiasm leads him on a path filled with favorites, and each of these favorites is a vineyard. The result is a dizzying mosaic of natural, lively, and spirited wines, which reinvents itself each year with around thirty cuvées per vintage. Few winemakers can include such a variety of grape varieties: the entire south of France is represented, with muscats, grenaches, picpoul, mauzac, carignan, cinsault, marsanne, alicante, braucol, duras, viognier, len-de-l'el, and tutti quanti.

Volnay Qvevris Red 2020,

Domaine de Chassorney

The nose reveals beautiful notes of red fruits (strawberry), spices, and candied fruits. On the palate, it reveals warmth and power, with floral aromas and a great minerality on the finish. This warm, straightforward wine from the Volnay appellation, with notes of red and black fruits, is balanced and lively on the palate, with lovely, gently spicy notes. It comes from old Pinot Noir vines growing at the bottom of the slopes, on dense, stony soils of ferruginous red clay and limestone. The plots are steep, facing west-southeast and located between 230 and 280 meters above sea level. The vines are worked on horseback, respecting the soil and the earth. The harvest is manual and is carried out when the grapes are fully ripe. The grapes macerate in whole bunches. Aging in qvevri (buried Georgian-style terracotta jars) further develops the wine's velvety texture and depth.

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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 for a while as a wine broker 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 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 exercise is not limited to Burgundy, as vintages are made from grapes purchased in the Jura or Languedoc regions. 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. 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.