Gift Ideas for Rookies

Senzaniente Pecorino White 2023

Azienda Agricola Marina Palusci

Terroir, plot size and grape varieties

The Senzaniente Pecorino 2023 is a vibrant tribute to the Abruzzo terroir, where the Pecorino grape, typical of the region, draws all its energy. On the clay-limestone soils of the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo hills, this ancient variety reveals a robust character, balancing lemony freshness with floral brilliance. It is a wine of place, expressing with candor the light, the stone, and the vines.

Cultivation methods

At the Marina Palusci estate, vineyard work is carried out using a natural and respectful approach: no fertilizers, no synthetic products, and no added sulfites. Everything is designed to allow the vine and the wine to fully express themselves, without artifice or constraint. Winemaking follows this same philosophy: natural fermentation, no additives, for a lively and vibrant white wine.

Tasting & pairings

The nose is a veritable explosion of freshness: lemon, lime, grapefruit, citrus zest, and a delicate touch of jasmine. On the palate, the wine is both round and lively, with lovely tension, a crisp texture, and a fruity finish of apple and citrus. This natural white wine is balanced, expressive, with a delightful bounce that invites you to come back for more. It can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with a meal, paired with grilled fish, sautéed mushrooms, aged cheeses, or even lightly spiced Asian dishes. A bright, joyful, and natural wine, best served chilled for maximum enjoyment.

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.

Life of the party Red 2020

Danis dans la vigne

Life of the Party (more or less translatable as "the party animal") is an organic and natural red wine from the Cahors terroir, certified AB and Nature & Progrès. This blend of red grape varieties from the Southwest is made by Danis Bessières, winemaker at Danis dans la vigne, using grapes from his family estate in Antenet.

Vinification

Life of the Party, produced on clay-loam soils resting on limestone gravel, is made from the red grape varieties Malbec, Egiodola, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. In addition to the Cabernet Francs that are around ten years old, the vines are between 30 and 40 years old. The vinification is carried out without any additives, with a short maceration. No added sulfites, yeast or enzymes. The wine is aged in stainless steel vats.

Tasting

The garnet red color catches the eye and a large packet of fruit explodes in the mouth. Life of the Party, a joyful and free-spirited wine, is a natural, unadulterated red that's festive, convivial, and indulgent. The blend of grape varieties—in a region traditionally favored by Malbec alone—produces a supple, fruity, and nuanced result, perfect for any celebration. A board of charcuteries and salaisons will pay tribute to him, but you can also serve him at the table.

Learn more about Danis dans la vigne

Under the Danis dans la vigne brand, on the Cahors terroir, Danis Bessières vinifies naturally the organic grapes purchased from his parents' property, the Domaine de l'Antenet, which was the first organic vineyard in Cahors in the early 1900s. 80.

Organic and natural since 1983

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

Malbec, but not only

Malbec reigns over the Cadurcian region, but Danis also uses Cabernets, Jurançon Noir, Merlot and recently created grape varieties. This allows him to temper the density and opacity of the main grape variety. He also does not hesitate to produce single-varietal vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc or Colombard.

Marguerite Red 2019

Domaine Bois Moisset

The Marguerite 2019 from Domaine Bois Moisset is a true immersion in the winemaking heritage of the southwest. Made from Duras, a native grape variety of Gaillac, it reveals all the richness and intensity of this ancestral terroir. Made from vines 15 to 30 years old, planted on sandy loam and clayey gravel from the Tarn terraces, this natural wine is the result of a respectful approach to the vine and the soil.

The vinification follows a minimalist logic: destemmed harvest, three-week maceration in cement vats without added sulfites, and low-temperature fermentation to preserve the fruit's brightness. Aging continues in cement vats until bottling, carried out without filtration and with a tiny dose of sulfur to stabilize the wine while preserving its raw and lively character.

With an intense and clear garnet color, Marguerite 2019 offers an expressive nose, dominated by notes of sweet and spicy spices (cinnamon, black pepper), ripe black fruits, and violet. On the palate, it is a structured, ample, and fresh wine, driven by a beautiful natural acidity that balances its rich body. The tannins are supple yet present, extending into a spicy and slightly licorice-laced finish.

Best enjoyed between 16 and 18°C, this vibrant red is the perfect accompaniment to rib of beef, a prune tagine, or a game terrine. Decanting will allow it to reveal all its complexity.

Crapaud Licorne Rouge 2022

Danis dans la vigne
Under the enigmatic name of Crapaud Licorne stands an organic and natural red wine from the Cahors terroir, 100% Malbec, certified AB and Nature & Progrès. It is made by Danis Bessières (Danis dans la vigne) from organic grapes from his family's Domaine de l'Antenet.

Vinification
Danis Bessières's Crapaud Licorne is based on Malbec, the emblematic red (and even black) grape variety of Cahors. It comes from 30- to 40-year-old vines growing on clay-loam and limestone gravel soils. The vinification is carried out without any additives, with a short maceration. The aging is done in stainless steel vats.

Tasting
This deep purple-red color, no mistake, it's Malbec, the Cahors grape variety from which "black wines" are made. This red wine from Danis Bessières, dense, dark, full-bodied and rich in substance, fits the description well. Toad Unicorn needs local dishes and charcuterie from the region: the galabart black pudding from the Mayrinhac farm or the black pudding from the Collectif Padouen will accompany it with talent. If Malbec interests you, discover a completely different expression with Cyprès de toi rosé from Fond Cyprès.

Learn more about Danis dans la vigne
Under the Danis dans la vigne brand, in the Cahors terroir, Danis Bessières vinifies organic grapes purchased from his parents' estate, 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: to make 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 & Progrès and then the organic labels AB and Eurofeuille. Danis Bessières continues this momentum.

Malbec, but not only
Malbec reigns over the Cadurcian region, but Danis also uses Cabernets, Jurançon Noir, Merlot and recently created grape varieties. This allows him to temper the density and opacity of the main grape variety. He also does not hesitate to create single-varietal cuvées of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc or Colombard.

Combe du Temps Blanc 2019,

Les Vignes du Domaine du Temps
This estate is located in Cabardès, a small region of Languedoc that was once a subdivision of Cathar Country. Stretching from the southern slope of the Montagne Noire to the city of Carcassonne, it is bordered to the west by the Lauragais and to the east by the Minervois. Hilly, wild, and rich in Mediterranean flora, it is a preserved ecosystem, especially since the Domaine du Temps, in the Font Juvénal area, is a magical place: around a former 18th-century priory, sixty hectares of forests and scrubland protect thirteen hectares of vineyards on stony clay-limestone soils. The balance between dryness and coolness is a boon for viticulture, with a wide range of grape varieties. In addition to the Languedoc grape varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Roussanne, Viognier, Muscat), Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sémillon, and Chenin are grown. The estate has been Ecocert certified since 1998, is entirely managed biodynamically, and has been dedicated to natural wine since 2015. The work in the vineyard and cellar is methodical, rigorous, and attentive: only the best grapes are kept, resulting in small yields, and destemming is decided based on the ripeness of the bunch. The reds are vinified using carbonic maceration of individual grape varieties, with the blending taking place before the year's aging. The whites are slowly and gently pressed to extract only the best from the grapes. These precautions produce smooth, controlled wines of great integrity, with very supple tannins. They are fresh, delicious, and expressive.
Sixty percent Chenin, twenty percent Sémillon, and twenty percent Roussanne: this is the blend that makes up the white cuvée of La Combe du Temps. A blend that traces a geographical triangle between Chenin, more associated with the Loire, Sémillon from the Southwest, and Roussanne from the Southeast. All three are fermented naturally, using indigenous yeasts, before aging for nine months in old barrels. No sulfites are added. Delicious and expressive, it is lively and dry with a lovely nuance of melted wood. The elegance and slightly rich note are traits found in all the whites from this estate. Its balance will delight everyone and give it access to numerous flavor pairings.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

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.

Pet Nat White 2021

Domaine Einhart

We are proud to present the natural sparkling wine from Domaine Einhart, a true bouquet of Alsace grape varieties, floral and cheerful, yet based on a solid framework due to skin maceration: this gives a resolutely vinous, complex, and profound character to a type of wine (Pet Nat) better known for its light, fruity, and airy notes. This makes it a rather paradoxical vintage, a firmly planted orange wine, but with added bubbles—light and joyful bubbles that do nothing to diminish the paradox. This is a festive wine, yet very mineral, very earthy, which has many strings to its bow and is not reserved for festivities: it demands to be savored on its own and especially at the table. At 12.5% ABV, it is composed of Sylvaner, Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris, entirely from the estate, harvested by hand. The vines, averaging thirty years old, grow on the muschelkalk soils of the Weingarten and Oberer Altenberg sites. Vinification begins with destemming, followed by a four-day maceration with indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged in bottles, on slats, for ten months before disgorging. Serve chilled.

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 found on the hillsides rising 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 work to protecting the land and biodiversity, making wine without additives, refusing harmful phytosanitary products, and maintaining ecological refuge areas. His estate has been certified organic since 2011. Like Jean-Marc Dreyer, 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 grape, lively, powerful, invigorating, and transcribe the minerality of the very beautiful terroirs of the Vosges foothills.

SP Subirat Parent Blanc 2020,

Partida Creus
This 100% Subirat Parent wine is crisp and aromatic, with a nose of ripe white fruits, melon, and wildflowers. Agile on the palate, fresh and straightforward, lemony and slightly saline, it offers a long finish tinged with a delicate bitterness typical of the estate. Subirat Parent, one of the oldest Catalan grape varieties and a close relative of Malvasia, remains rare even in its country of origin. The clay-limestone soil enhances its freshness and integrity. The harvest is pressed after a three-day skin maceration. The must is settled and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel vats. Three months of rest in vats on fine lees before bottling.

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.

Cinsault Cuve n°5 Rouge 2020,

Fond Cyprès
Integrated, straightforward, rich, and intense, very fragrant, fresh and fluid, with a full and superb fruitiness. All the character and purity of Cinsault, a noble red grape variety from the Great South. Notes of cherry, ripe plum, and sweet spices, a delicate structure and refreshing acidity. This beautiful wine for laying down was initially offered only in magnums and is now available in 75 cl bottles: enjoy it.

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.

TN Rouge 2020,

Partida Creus
The Catalan estate of Partida Creus is as important from a winemaking perspective as it is from a 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 exclamations of joy.
This beautiful blend of Sumoll, Ull de Llebre and Bobal produces a smooth, crisp and fruity (black fruits) table wine with earthy and smoky notes. Excellent gurgling, a wine for friends, the owner's cuvée, full of sunshine and personality.

Without a prescription White 2020,

Les Vignes du Domaine du Temps
This estate is located in Cabardès, a small region of Languedoc that was once a subdivision of Cathar Country. Stretching from the southern slope of the Montagne Noire to the city of Carcassonne, it is bordered to the west by the Lauragais and to the east by the Minervois. Hilly, wild, and rich in Mediterranean flora, it is a preserved ecosystem, especially since the Domaine du Temps, in the Font Juvénal area, is a magical place: around a former 18th-century priory, sixty hectares of forests and scrubland protect thirteen hectares of vineyards on stony clay-limestone soils. The balance between dryness and coolness is a boon for viticulture, with a wide range of grape varieties. In addition to the Languedoc grape varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Roussanne, Viognier, Muscat), Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sémillon, and Chenin are grown. The estate has been Ecocert certified since 1998, is entirely managed biodynamically, and has been dedicated to natural wine since 2015. The work in the vineyard and cellar is methodical, rigorous, and attentive: only the best grapes are kept, resulting in small yields, and destemming is decided based on the ripeness of the bunch. The reds are vinified using carbonic maceration of individual grape varieties, with the blending taking place before the year's aging. The whites are slowly and gently pressed to extract only the best from the grapes. These precautions produce smooth, controlled wines of great integrity, with very supple tannins. They are fresh, delicious, and expressive.
The Sans ordonnance white cuvée is made from sixty percent Muscat à Petit Grain and forty percent Viognier. Fermentation takes place naturally in stainless steel vats without fining or filtration, and aging is nine months in old barrels. The nose is fine, complex, exotic without excess: the musky notes of Muscat à Petit Grain are initially very discreet and then develop in the glass. The aroma unfolds on the palate with very controlled notes of ripeness, wisteria, honey candy, and yellow peach. The freshness is wonderful, tempered by a little fat. A delicious and expressive wine.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

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.

Saint Romain Sous Roche Red 2021

Domaine de Chassorney

The nose of this Saint-Romain from the Sous Roche climate is already reminiscent of high-altitude Pinot Noir with its freshness and liveliness. On the palate, we discover a superb structure, well-rounded tannins, and lovely notes of red and black fruits. Wonderful length on the palate, generous fruit sensation, and beautiful depth. This Saint-Romain "Sous Roche" is a pure Pinot Noir from a plot whose steep terroir, facing south-southeast, is located between 280 and 400 meters above sea level in the Saint-Romain appellation. The soils are primarily marl, limestone, and clay. The grapes, grown on fifty-year-old vines, macerate in whole bunches. Aging lasts about a year in barrels. A few years of aging will develop its spicy notes and ripen the fruit, but you can already enjoy it.

Mensonge à Papa Red 2020,

Belly Wine Experiment

Here is a light, fresh, supple, and fruity red that proudly bears the banner of Gamay from two regions: Auvergne and Beaujolais. It is the result of a blend of equal parts of these two origins of the same grape variety, neither entirely identical nor entirely different. An ode to Gamay, in a way. These Gamays from Auvergne and Beaujolais are first slowly pressed, then their must is added to whole bunches for a fifteen-day carbonic maceration. Aging takes place in fiberglass vats. Classified as a Vin de France and with an alcohol content of 13.5%, it will be wonderful as an aperitif or with a meal, or just to have a good time.

To find out more
Founded and run by Claire Sage and Aimé Duveau, located in Chanteuges (Haute-Loire), Belly Wine Experiment is as much an experience as a winemaking business. The creative duo has it in spades: Claire is the sister of Adrien Sage, a fan of underwater wine aging but above all an importer of Catalan wines. Hence the presence of Catalan grape varieties in Belly Wine Experiment's blends, alongside Burgundy, Auvergne or Jura grape varieties, readily in the same bottle. Aimé is the son of Manu Duveau, a winemaker-poet from Auvergne, a former stonemason and a great winemaker of local Gamays at his Domaine de l'Égrappille. The uniqueness of Belly Wine Experiment is the exoticism (in the literal sense) of the blends, with Xarel lo from Catalonia being able to rub shoulders, for example, with Gamay from Puy-de-Dôme with the utmost naturalness. The wines are made using semi-carbonic maceration, without the addition of chemical inputs or excessive manipulation in the cellar. The house is also known for its very high-quality, vinous perries.

Le Roi Maceration White 2019

Domaine de l'Octavin

Why the king? Because it's Riesling, the king of grape varieties, grown biodynamically in Alsace (Philippe Brand estate) on clay-limestone soils. Even better: it's a Riesling macerated for fifteen days in whole bunches to capture all the power of the grape. For fine dinners, refined dishes, and delicate gastronomy. And to drink on its own, as an aperitif or after dinner, to appreciate its thousand aristocratic nuances.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Alberto López Calvo - Vino Tinto (Red) 2009

Bodegas Coruña del Conde
Alberto López Calvo, the estate's historic Bordeaux-style cuvées are made with Tempranillo (75%), followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Merlot (5%). These are beautiful wines with an intense garnet red color, elegant, complex, deep, and silky, with well-integrated tannins.

Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Hip Hip White 2018

Domaine de l'Octavin

Hip Hip savagnin is a dry white wine made from Arbois savagnin, macerated for two months in whole bunches. Pressing is followed by a year of aging in vats. The long maceration gives Alice Bouvot the opportunity to highlight the most aromatic aspects of the grape variety: exotic fruits, vibrant acidity, a lovely touch of tannins and spices. A magnificent balance between dryness and suppleness. Truly made for all pairings.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

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.

Rencontre Red 2020,

Domaine Bois Moisset

Rencontre's nose is subtle, laden with red fruits, with pronounced forest notes: mushroom, humus, a touch of leather, spices, and violet. On the palate, the fruit is very present, very pleasant, and decidedly peppery, and the beautiful, fine, precise tannins nestle gracefully into a very tactile, chewy finish. This is a wine of strong character that surprises with its beautiful structure. Its color is dense and full, like that of a Bordeaux. This wine from the Gaillac region is made from local grape varieties: 40% Syrah and 40% Braucol, supplemented by 20% Duras, all fermented in the same vat. The harvest is destemmed. Maceration lasts three weeks in a temperature-controlled concrete vat, with indigenous yeasts. The Braucol and Duras are co-fermented. Only a few pumpings are carried out. The press juice and free-run juice are blended with 20% Duras free-run juice to add a peppery touch. Aging is also done in vats. We recommend decanting this Encounter which, without any pun intended, is a true encounter that is definitely worth the detour.

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The name Gaillac, the region where the Bois-Moisset estate is located, owned by Sylvie Ledran and Philippe Maffre, has been associated with wines since Antiquity; It is the oldest vineyard in France, with two thousand years of history and an impressive collection of ancient indigenous grape varieties. It is also a region of dazzling beauty, nicknamed "French Tuscany" because of its gentle hills planted with groves and its almost Florentine brightness. Many estates, along with that of Bois-Moisset, showcase this uniquely rich wine-growing heritage. Along with an estate planted with vines, it is an organic mixed farm that directly sells its production of lentils, sunflower oil, cereal flours and grape juice. A herd of old local breed cows also thrives there and guest rooms are available in the summer. It is in this small rural paradise that natural wines typical of their origin and their terroir are born, on fifteen hectares of boulbènes, gravelly and sandy-loam soils carried by the Tarn for thousands of years. The grape varieties are dominated by Syrah and Duras, but the ampelographic richness of the Gaillac region (braucol, prunelart, loin-de-l'œil, etc.) is also evident in the vintages of the Bois-Moisset estate, which consist particularly of red wines with a crisp fruitiness, concentrated but with smooth and delicate tannins.