Last Chance

Clef à Molette Blanc 2021,

Domaine de l'Octavin
Lots of charm, yellow citrus and white flowers, and a clean, saline finish for this Clé à Molette, so named because it is, naturally, made 100% from the local grape variety called Molette (hence the label), harvested at the Trichon estate in Lhuis (Bugey), this wine is produced biodynamically on clay-limestone soils. The grapes are pressed directly; The must ferments and matures in vats for nine months.

Find out more
“You don’t need anything,” says Alice Bouvot, winemaker at Domaine de l’Octavin, “just grapes that are happy in their own skin.” Everything is said in favor of natural wine; it’s a perfect description. Created in 2005, Domaine d’Alice is located in Arbois, in the wine-growing Jura region, often described as the most organic vineyard in France. The practice of making – among other things – oxidative wines is a good preparation for natural wine, as this type of wine does not allow any chemical additives and especially no sulfites. It’s a secret of this magnificent region. Originally spread over two hectares, the estate, managed entirely biodynamically (Demeter) since 2010, has expanded through the gradual acquisition of plots and now covers seven hectares.
An accomplished musician and passionate music lover, Alice intends to apply her musical sensitivity to the wines she makes. She draws a parallel between the technical perfection of conventional wines, which risks excluding feeling, while "a musician who does not know music theory and plays with his guts creates emotion." For her, living wine is like this: instinctive, improvised, emotional. Introduced to natural wine by Stéphane Planche, sommelier at chef Jean-Paul Jeunet in Arbois, she will faithfully follow this path. The sometimes whimsical titles of her vintages are inspired sometimes by musical art (Dorabella, Zerline), sometimes by the numerous plots of land that make up her vineyard (En Curon, Les Corvées, En Poussot, etc.), and do not disdain a pun from time to time. Likewise, the labels adorned with happy and salacious little gnomes are a signature of the estate. As for the grape varieties, they are the classics of the Jura - Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir for the reds, and Chardonnay, Savagnin for the whites. Alongside her Arbois wines, Alice has created a business of "on the vine" grapes (Ecocert certified) with her winegrower friends from the region. Natural, committed, joyful and highly drinkable, the wines of Alice Bouvot are all the more coveted as the vintages, produced in plot-by-plot mode, appear, disappear and reappear depending on the vintage and inspiration.

Grenabar Rouge 2021,

Domaine de l'Octavin
Grenabar 2021 is a joyful, fruity, and borderline rosé wine, with decidedly maraschino cherry, blood orange, and watermelon notes, with well-ripened tannins and moderate acidity that makes it very adaptable. Originally, it was made from Grenache and Colombard. For this vintage, it is made from Carignan and Vermentino (Rolle) produced biodynamically on granite and quartz soils (SCEA L’Authentique by Claude Ughetto in Carpentras). It is made by steeping whole-bunch Vermentino in Carignan must obtained by direct pressing. This maceration takes place for three weeks. Bottling was done in June 2022. This red wine also extends to the pairings traditionally associated with white wines. Very versatile and fresh on the palate.

Learn more
“You don’t need anything,” says Alice Bouvot, winemaker at Domaine de l’Octavin, “just a grape that feels good in its skin.” Everything is said in favor of natural wine; it’s a perfect description. Created in 2005, Domaine d’Alice is located in Arbois, in this wine-growing Jura region, often described as the most organic vineyard in France. The habit of making – among other things – oxidative wines is a good preparation for natural wine, this type of wine allowing no chemical additives and especially no sulfites. It’s a secret of this magnificent region. Originally spread over two hectares, the estate, managed entirely biodynamically (Demeter) since 2010, has expanded through the gradual acquisition of plots and now covers seven hectares.
An accomplished musician and passionate music lover, Alice intends to apply her musical sensitivity to the wines she makes. She draws a parallel between the technical perfection of conventional wines, which risks excluding feeling, while "a musician who does not know music theory and plays with his guts creates emotion." For her, living wine is like this: instinctive, improvised, emotional. Introduced to natural wine by Stéphane Planche, sommelier at chef Jean-Paul Jeunet in Arbois, she will faithfully follow this path. The sometimes whimsical titles of her vintages are inspired sometimes by musical art (Dorabella, Zerline), sometimes by the numerous plots of land that make up her vineyard (En Curon, Les Corvées, En Poussot, etc.), and do not disdain a pun from time to time. Likewise, the labels adorned with happy and salacious little gnomes are a signature of the estate. As for the grape varieties, they are the classics of the Jura - Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir for the reds, and Chardonnay, Savagnin for the whites. Alongside her Arbois wines, Alice has created a business of "on the vine" grapes (Ecocert certified) with her winegrower friends from the region. Natural, committed, joyful and highly drinkable, the wines of Alice Bouvot are all the more coveted as the vintages, produced in plot-by-plot mode, appear, disappear and reappear depending on the vintage and inspiration.

VéNéNuM Rouge 2018,

Aurélien Lefort
One hundred percent Gamay from Auvergne, VéNéNuM is a red cuvée made in small quantities from vines over a hundred years old, planted in 1904 on red clay soils rich in quartz and granite sand (Lamouret location). Harvested in September, the wine macerated in vats with whole bunches for forty-five days, and aged for eighteen months in vats followed by eleven months in bottle.

Find out more
Established since 2011 in Madriat, near Boudes, in the southern part of Puy-de-Dôme, Aurélien Lefort is an artist (a Fine Arts graduate) with a passion for wine and nature. After training with Michel Auger (Loire) and Patrick Bouju, he decided to move to Auvergne and took over the lease of abandoned vineyards. The Boudes region is an ancient wine-producing land, an exceptional volcanic terroir, warm and vibrant, cultivated for nearly two thousand years. Aurélien's approach is to encourage the revival of this magnificent vineyard. He does this on small areas of stunning pedological diversity: basalt, granite, calcareous red clay, sandy and gravelly clay on quartz flows, and, at the foot of the hillside, marly white clay. On this substrate, the Auvergne trilogy (Gamay, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) takes the lion's share. In Aurélien's hands, the singular talent of Auvergne Gamay, an ancient grape variety as dense and powerful as it is spicy, which finds a particular expression on these volcanic soils. His plots are grassed but mown to control humidity, and the vines are worked with a pickaxe to prevent the root system from suffocating. The harvest, always manual, can last up to three weeks due to the meticulous sorting of the berries. This is the price Aurélien Lefort pays to create his rare and sought-after vintages, resulting from long macerations (up to three months). Mostly red, sometimes sparkling, sometimes also mellow (late harvest reds), they always leave a lasting, even unforgettable, impression.

Hip Hip Chardonnay Savagnin Blanc 2018

Domaine de l’Octavin
Vibrant acidity and freshness balanced by beautiful aromatic notes, exotic fruits, and a lovely touch of tannins and spices—this is the Hip Hip cuvée, dedicated to the two white grape varieties typical of the Arbois region. Alice Bouvot vinifies various local white and red grape varieties under this name. This Chardonnay-Savagnin version is the result of a two-month whole-bunch maceration. 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 these two grape varieties: exotic fruits, vibrant acidity, a lovely touch of tannins and spices. A magnificent balance between dryness and suppleness. Truly made for all pairings.

Learn more
“You don’t need anything,” says Alice Bouvot, winemaker at Domaine de l’Octavin, “just a grape that feels good in its skin.” Everything is said in favor of natural wine; it’s a perfect description. Created in 2005, Domaine d’Alice is located in Arbois, in the wine-growing Jura region, often described as the most organic vineyard in France. The practice of making – among other things – oxidative wines is a good preparation for natural wine, as this type of wine does not allow any chemical additives and especially no sulfites. It’s a secret of this magnificent region. Originally spread over two hectares, the estate, managed entirely biodynamically (Demeter) since 2010, has expanded through the gradual acquisition of plots and now covers seven hectares.

An accomplished musician and passionate music lover, Alice intends to apply her musical sensitivity to the wines she makes. She draws a parallel between the technical perfection of conventional wines which risks excluding feeling, while "a musician who does not know music theory and plays with his guts creates emotion." For her, living wine is like this: instinctive, improvised, emotional. Introduced to natural wine by Stéphane Planche, sommelier at chef Jean-Paul Jeunet in Arbois, she will faithfully follow this path. The sometimes whimsical titles of her vintages are inspired sometimes by musical art (Dorabella, Zerline), sometimes by the numerous plots of land that make up her vineyard (En Curon, Les Corvées, En Poussot, etc.), and do not disdain a pun from time to time. Likewise, the labels adorned with happy and salacious little gnomes are a signature of the estate. As for the grape varieties, they are the classics of the Jura - Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir for the reds, and Chardonnay, Savagnin for the whites. Alongside her Arbois wines, Alice has created a business of "on the vine" grapes (Ecocert certified) with her winegrower friends from the region. Natural, committed, joyful and highly drinkable, the wines of Alice Bouvot are all the more coveted as the vintages, produced in plot-by-plot mode, appear, disappear and reappear depending on the vintage and inspiration.

Magnum Pamina Blanc 2018

Domaine de l'Octavin
A wonderful freshness characterizes this Pamina, a lovely crisp and aromatic white, 100% Chardonnay, produced biodynamically from white and gray marl soils typical of the Arbois region. Well balanced between lightness and power, supported by superb acidity and enhanced by a yeasty and herbaceous touch, it will accompany grilled white meats or fish, or any savory dish containing puff or shortcrust pastry: vol-au-vent, quiches, croustades…

To find out more
“You don’t need anything,” says Alice Bouvot, winemaker at Domaine de l’Octavin, “just a grape that feels good in its skin.” Everything is said in favor of natural wine, it’s a perfect description. Created in 2005, Domaine d’Alice is located in Arbois, in this wine-growing Jura often described as the most organic vineyard in France. The habit of making – among other things – oxidative wines is a good preparation for natural wine, this type of wine does not allow any chemical additives and especially no sulfites. It’s a secret of this magnificent region. Originally spread over two hectares, the estate, managed entirely biodynamically (Demeter) since 2010, has expanded through the gradual acquisition of plots and now covers seven hectares.

An accomplished musician and passionate music lover, Alice intends to apply her musical sensitivity to the wines she makes. She draws a parallel between the technical perfection of conventional wines which risks excluding feeling, while "a musician who does not know music theory and plays with his guts creates emotion." For her, living wine is like this: instinctive, improvised, emotional. Introduced to natural wine by Stéphane Planche, sommelier at chef Jean-Paul Jeunet in Arbois, she will faithfully follow this path. The sometimes whimsical titles of her vintages are inspired sometimes by musical art (Dorabella, Zerline), sometimes by the numerous plots of land that make up her vineyard (En Curon, Les Corvées, En Poussot, etc.), and do not disdain a pun from time to time. Likewise, the labels adorned with happy and salacious little gnomes are a signature of the estate. As for the grape varieties, they are the classics of the Jura - Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir for the reds, and Chardonnay, Savagnin for the whites. Alongside her Arbois wines, Alice has created a business of "on the vine" grapes (Ecocert certified) with her winegrower friends from the region. Natural, committed, joyful and highly drinkable, the wines of Alice Bouvot are all the more coveted as the vintages, produced in plot-by-plot mode, appear, disappear and reappear depending on the vintage and inspiration.

Munjebel White 2022,

Frank Cornelissen

A high-altitude Zibbibo revealing the elegance of Etna

The Munjebel White 2022 is a brilliant interpretation of the Zibbibo grape variety, born on the basaltic soils of Etna. This natural and biodynamic cuvée, vinified using destemmed maceration and aged for 6 months in amphorae, reflects Frank Cornelissen's commitment to wines that reflect the purity and richness of Sicily's volcanic terroir. With a fascinating complexity and vibrant freshness, this vintage lends itself equally to special occasions and gourmet meals.

A tasting full of vivacity and depth

To the eye, the Munjebel White reveals a bright and vibrant golden yellow color. The nose is complex and charming, blending notes of tangy citrus, white flowers and juicy fruits, all enhanced by a saline minerality typical of volcanic terroirs. On the palate, this wine offers remarkable tension, with a silky texture and freshness balanced by a precise structure. The finish, long and elegant, leaves a mark of floral aromas and ripe citrus fruits. Served between 10 and 12°C after decanting, it reveals all its complexity.

A remarkable gastronomic versatility

This dry and refined white wine is the perfect accompaniment to grilled fish, shellfish, Mediterranean vegetables or even white meats. It also lends itself to more daring pairings with spicy cuisine or sophisticated vegetarian dishes. As an aperitif or at the heart of a gourmet meal, this wine enhances every moment.

With an aging potential of 5 years, the Munjebel White 2022 embodies the authenticity and elegance of the great natural whites of Etna, in a unique and memorable expression.

Plenus White 2015

Azienda Agricola Marina Palusci

Terroir, plot size and grape varieties

The 2015 Plenus was born in the vibrant Abruzzo region, in Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, where the Pecorino grape finds a unique expression. Grown on clay-limestone soils, this indigenous variety unfolds a generous character, carried by the mineral energy of the terroir. It is a wine of place, shaped by the curves of the Italian hills and the discreet hand of the team at Azienda Marina Palusci.

Cultivation methods

Here, the vines grow freely, without chemical fertilizers or synthetic products. Massimiliano D'Addario cultivates them with patience and conviction, with complete respect for life. The harvest, carried out with care, is followed by the most natural winemaking possible: spontaneous fermentation, extended aging of more than twelve months, and no added sulfites at any stage. The wine is bottled with a screw cap, a pragmatic choice to preserve its original brilliance.

Tasting & pairings

In the glass, the 2015 Plenus reveals an aromatic palette as rich as it is nuanced: white peach, fresh thyme, white pepper, candied citrus, quince, toasted almond, and a touch of brioche that hints at its slow and graceful evolution. The palate is ample and vibrant, traversed by a lively acidity and a smoky minerality, like a breath of warm rock. An expressive, elegant, and slightly unruly natural white wine, ideal for lovers of wines with a free spirit. It pairs wonderfully with juicy poultry, aged cheeses, or briny seafood. Best enjoyed between 10 and 12°C, or cellared for a few more years.

Filagnotti Gavi Blanc 2007

Stefano Bellotti

Filagnotti 2007 est bien plus qu’un vin : c’est un morceau d’histoire du vin naturel, signé Stefano Bellotti, figure majeure du renouveau paysan en Italie. Cette cuvée emblématique du domaine Cascina degli Ulivi, situé à Novi Ligure dans le Piémont, incarne l’esprit de liberté et de rigueur qui a toujours guidé ce vigneron pionnier, engagé dans la biodynamie dès les années 1980.

Issu de la parcelle Filagnotti, l’un des plus beaux terroirs de Gavi DOCG, ce 100 % Cortese a été vinifié sans intrants, avec des levures indigènes, sans filtration ni collage, puis élevé longuement, très probablement en barriques anciennes, selon les pratiques du domaine. À près de 20 ans, ce vin blanc naturel démontre une capacité de garde exceptionnelle.

Le nez est complexe, évolué mais vivant, sur des notes de miel sec, de pomme cuite, de fruits jaunes confits, de paille, de cire, et une trame minérale toujours présente. En bouche, la texture est ample, soyeuse, mais conserve une belle fraîcheur, avec une longueur saisissante, vibrante, presque saline.

Filagnotti 2007 est un vin de gastronomie : il se mariera à merveille avec une volaille rôtie, des poissons en sauce, un fromage affiné comme un parmesan longuement affiné ou même des plats à base de truffe blanche du Piémont. Il est recommandé de le carafer longuement et de le servir entre 12 et 14°C pour en apprécier toute la complexité.

Un témoignage rare du grand âge d’un vin naturel, encore debout, vibrant et mémorable. Un vin de méditation, pour amateurs éclairés.

Organic Cognac XO Pass’Ange, Alain Chadutaud

Alain Chadutaud

Nineteen years old! This oak-aged cognac is fruity, straightforward, and supple, with remarkable breadth. It's the cognac for special moments and meditation, the perfect accompaniment to grand festive meals. Warm the glass and sip slowly. On the palate, dried and candied fruit, spices, honey, and pepper linger. Notes of cedar and pine forest linger long in the memory.

Vin du conservatoire White 2024

La Tribu Alonso

Terroir, plot size and grape varieties

Nestled in the unexpected corners of Beaujolais, far from the clichés of ubiquitous Gamay, the 2024 Vin du Conservatoire unveils a little-known and profoundly vibrant facet of this generous land. Crafted by the Tribu Alonso, a collective of winemakers passionate about biodiversity and freedom, this still white wine draws its originality from an atypical plot where Grenache Blanc and Macabeu coexist in perfect harmony. But the magic also comes from a unique, symbiotic planting: Muscat Chardonnay, Floreal, Villard Blanc, and Alain Bouquet intertwine in a vegetal ballet that is both free and precise. Here, each grape variety plays its part in rhythm with the seasons, for a collective expression of the terroir, far from the beaten path.

Cultivation methods

The Tribu Alonso cultivates much more than grapes: it cultivates a philosophy. A philosophy of unconditional respect for all living things, without artifice or labels, but with a keen awareness of the winemaker's role as guardian of a fragile balance. No synthetic treatments, constant observation of the vines, and minimal intervention in the cellar: this is the credo of this committed tribe. Winemaking follows the same guiding principle, where the human hand guides rather than corrects. The result? A wine without makeup, naturally fermented, that expresses the richness of its ecosystem in every glass.

Tasting & pairings

From the first whiff, the 2024 Vin du Conservatoire captivates with its floral finesse: delicate violet, spring white blossoms, and a light whisper of ripe apricot that caresses the senses. On the palate, the tension is palpable, with a vibrant acidity that structures the wine without making it stiff. The texture is supple, almost caressing, carried by a subtly saline and lingering finish. One finds there that sensation of purity, like spring water flowing through living soil.

At the table, this characterful white wine is wonderful as an aperitif, where its freshness awakens the taste buds. It then reveals itself to be a perfect match for smoked fish, trout gravlax, or white meats with herbs, highlighting their aromas without ever overpowering them.

A rare, free and vibrant wine, which tells its own story of Beaujolais.

Vino Rosso Poggio Pastene Red 2014

Corvagialla
The vines for this single-variety Sangiovese are planted at an altitude of 450 meters on a west-facing plot with volcanic soils. The harvest is destemmed and macerated for approximately three weeks, with daily pumping over or punching down as needed. Aging is twenty-four months in chestnut barrels. The wine is bottled for six months before being released.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Burgundy white Bigotes White 2021

Frédéric Cossard

Bigotes is a dry, organic, and natural white wine made by Frédéric Cossard from Chardonnay. Although it is a "generic" white Burgundy, it clearly bears the mark of its terroir and the winemaker. Bigotes is, in a way, the white counterpart of the Bedeau red cuvée.

Vinification

Bigotes is produced by Frédéric Cossard on a small plot of Chardonnay in the Burgundy regional appellation, on clay-limestone soils. This is a direct-press, organic wine, with no added sulfites.

Tasting

Bigotes is characterized by tension and indulgence. On the nose, the aromatic attack is lemony, lingering with yellow fruits. On the palate, tension, fullness, indulgence, a little fat, and plenty of aromatic persistence. He is not demanding in terms of pairings: he goes with white meats, smoked fish, oysters and shellfish, seafood, mature cheeses, beautiful roasted poultry, salmon pastries and href="https://culinaries.fr/producteurs/ferme-du-bois-de-boulle/">rabbit sautéed with lemon.

Learn more about Frédéric Cossard and the Domaine de Chassorney

Frédéric Cossard and the domaine de Chassorney give organic and natural voice to Burgundy wines (and those from elsewhere), undistorted by agricultural chemicals, according to the style and convictions of this winegrower and merchant. Wherever the grapes come from, its wines bear the Cossard brand, both classic and creative.

Between viticulture and trade

Frédéric Cossard created the domaine de Chassorney 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, biodynamics, no chemical fertilizers or weedkillers. The harvest, by hand, is carried out at full maturity. Frédéric Cossard's vintages are rare and sought-after, wines that are always highly anticipated but which sometimes require waiting.

Munjebel VA Red 2020

Cornelissen
Made from pure Sicilian Nerello Mascalese (PDO/DOP Etna Rosso and PGI Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese appellations), Munjebel VA is an organic (Eurofeuille), biodynamic, and natural red wine produced by Frank Cornelissen. It is a blend of the estate's three highest vineyards (Vigne Alte), rich in biodiversity: Tartaraci (1,000 m above sea level), Rampante Soprana (870 m), and Barbabecchi (910 m). The soils are basaltic and the ungrafted vines are on average 90 years old.

Vinification
The Nerello Mascalese grapes are destemmed and lightly crushed before a 50-day fermentation-maceration on the skins. The wine is aged for 18 months in vats and 18 months in bottle. No fining, light filtration.

Tasting
Munjebel VA is the estate's most Burgundian vintage, with the most pronounced acidity. Balanced, structured, gastronomic, and easy to drink, it offers plenty of crisp fruit, without ever being too easy. This wine magnificently expresses the excellence and precision of the old, ungrafted Nerello Mascalese vines located on the high terraces of Etna's northern valley. At the table, it goes with everything, and especially with a good roast poultry, to be chosen from the Ferme du Vidalies or the Collectif de la Noire d’Astarac-Bigorre.

Learn more about Frank Cornelissen
A key and universally respected figure in natural, organic and biodynamic wine, the Belgian Frank Cornelissen, a winemaker conquered by Sicily, is a classic. This man of constant questioning lives in human and cosmic resonance with his terroir: he has demonstrated that the powerful minerality of a great volcanic soil could be highlighted by the naturalness of his wines.

An ideal terroir for plot-by-plot vinification
In Passopisciaro, Sicily, in the north of the Etna valley, the 19 plots cover 24 hectares of basalt soils spread over numerous localities (contrade) between 600 and 900 meters above sea level on the side of the volcano. It is, says Frank Cornelissen, the "Night Coast of Sicily". Frank Cornelissen's contrade are all cultivated biodynamically and vinified separately: he decides on the blends based on the quality of each.

The nobility of Nerello Mascalese
Nerello Mascalese is the dominant variety and alone makes up the greatest vintages. This traditional red grape variety from the northern Etna valley produces hypermineral wines due to its long growing cycle. Other grape varieties in the azienda: Nerello Capuccio, Minella Bianco, Minella Nera, Alicante Bouschet, Malvasia, Catarratto, Moscadella, Grecanico Dorato, Carricante…

Canoupe Blanc 2022,

Danis dans la vigne
Canoupe is a white wine from Cahors made from organic and natural Colombard grapes, produced in Vin de France by Danis Bessières of Danis dans la vigne. It is a beautiful white from the Southwest of France with very advanced maturity. It is part of the "Esprit du lieu" range of single-plot cuvées vinified by Danis. Its name expresses the vigor and vitality of the estate's Colombards: "plant spears that reach for the sky." At the beginning of summer, the vine rises into vigorous foliage, like a canopy, hence the name Canoupe.

Vinification
Canoupe is not a white wine like the others. This single-plot cuvée was vinified with particular attention to the ripeness of the grapes, which is very advanced. Botrytis plays an important role, particularly in the color, which is sustained despite the direct pressing. A little controlled oxidation is also present.

Tasting
The style of Canoupe is intermediate, between freshness and maturity, with ripe aromas, candied citrus fruits, honeysuckle, spices: cardamom, cinnamon, Christmas spices. The color tends towards orange and the aromas are similar. Candied, jammy, with a touch of oxidation. A complex and powerful wine that is best reserved for the table and gastronomy rather than as an aperitif.

Learn more about Danis dans la vigne
Under the name Danis dans la vigne, Danis Bessières vinifies organic grapes from the family 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: 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 & Progrès and then the organic labels AB and Eurofeuille. Danis Bessières continues in this vein.

Malbec, but not only
Malbec reigns supreme in the Cadurcian 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.

Pauvre Diable Red 2020,

Domaine Serre Besson

Gourmet, deep, and velvety, this wine offers lovely, well-integrated tannins. The notes of black cherry and blackberry are assertive, while the mid-palate is characterized by touches of spice and rose. A beautiful natural red from the Vinsobres terroir, with a bright, clear ruby color. Don't be swayed by what you read on the label: Pauvre Diable, endowed with all the graces mentioned above, is nothing to be pitied. The name alludes to the state in which Victor Taylor, the current owner of the Serre Besson estate, found the estate when he bought it in 2011. A restoration of the vineyard followed, as well as a conversion to organic farming which is now bearing fruit: in this case this natural cuvée, without adding any inputs to the vineyard or the cellar, a pure expression of the estate's varied soils (sand, limestone, clay) and the oldest Grenache vines planted there. You can drink it now, in its youth and freshness, or let it age for three to five years.

Find out more
In 2011, Victor, a Californian sommelier who had settled in Nyons after leaving his position as restaurant director at the Carlyle Hotel in New York, became passionate about the Serre Besson estate, then a small, abandoned wine estate nestled around an old stone building. He bought the whole property, renovated it, and revitalized the vineyard. A few years later, the red wines from the Serre Besson estate, in the Vinsobres appellation, were making waves, were noticed in competitions, and won several medals. Victor, upon taking over the estate, began his conversion to organic farming, which now allows him to produce an entirely natural cuvée based on Grenache: this is the Pauvre Diable that we offer you. In addition, it produces a Vinsobres appellation of origin whose grape varieties bring together Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Grenache. As well as a rosé macerated with Grenache Noir, Syrah and Viognier. The owner's ambition is not to impose a new style but to respect the terroir and nature in an environment that offers all the possibilities to make exceptional wines.

Armagnac by Maurice 2009 Spirits

Hootch

Take advantage of it, not everyone has access to Armagnac by Maurice: organic (Demeter, AB, and Eurofeuille labels), artisanal, it is made by Maurice de Mandelaëre (Domaine de Saoubis), the only biodynamic Armagnac producer. Hootch is responsible for packaging and distributing this small-producer Armagnac with an alcohol content of 49.3%.

Production

100% Baco grape variety grown biodynamically in the Bas-Armagnac region, Armagnac de Maurice XO (Extra-Old) comes from a single barrel where it has been aged for 14 years. It is neither reduced nor filtered, and without coloring. No fertilizers or pesticides in the vineyards, no additives in the cellar. Neither reduced nor filtered, without coloring. Cuvée limited to 494 bottles.

Tasting

The Baco grape variety gives a beautiful complexity to the nose with aromas of vine flowers, bay leaf, spices, and exotic fruits. On the palate, there is great finesse and length with notes of vanilla, flan, tobacco, and flowers. Serve it as a digestif or a light pick-me-up, and you can even eat it with: pastries, desserts, fruits, or charcuterie such as peasant terrines. It will be served alongside beautiful poultry or roasted black Gascon pork.

Learn more about Hootch

Hootch is not a distillery but a distillery developer: created by two childhood friends, Martin and Thomas, it is dedicated to organic and artisanal French spirits, particularly Armagnac. Its mission is to discover small Armagnac producers who have been made invisible by competition from foreign spirits. Hootch packages and distributes these Armagnacs to make them accessible to a wider audience.

Armagnacs by Maurice

Maurice de Mandelaëre is the only biodynamic Armagnac producer (Demeter and AB certified). Its sublime spirits are made with the utmost respect for the soil, the ecosystem, and the environment. Whether old, hors d'âge, or blanche Armagnac (not aged in barrels), Armagnacs by Maurice form the basis of Hootch's catalog. It turns out that the entire production is organic, biodynamic and artisanal.

Discover Armagnac

This alcohol, the oldest in France, is so much more than a drop to flavor a Landes tourtière or a prune ice cream (even if we love that too)! Armagnac is complex, deep, multidimensional, the pure fruit of its terroir, and Hootch gives you a great opportunity to discover it.