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The genesis of wine is often traced back to the seventh millennium BCE, in the Caucasus, where wine was aged in qvevris (or kvrevris), large jars of 3500 liters buried in the ground. Traditionally, wine has always been what we now consider organic, but the term "organic wine" appeared at the end of the 20th century, in reaction to the hyper-industrialization of wine. Indeed, it was in a context of wine globalization after the Second World War that wine production began to flood the global market with wines full of additives and synthetic chemicals to achieve higher yields and more standardized production, known as conventional wine. Organic wine is therefore a logical response to conventional wine; it aims to be more environmentally friendly and adheres to strict specifications governing wine production.
Organic wine is therefore a wine (red wine, white wine, rosé wine, orange wine, sparkling wine) made from organic farming. Organic wine first met the European specifications of 1991, which governed the principles of organic farming only in the vineyard. It was not until 2012 that new European specifications were published, this time stipulating organic farming regulations also in the cellar.
As mentioned above, wine from organic farming has theoretically always existed, but it is only since 2012 that it has been regulated and controlled by strict specifications in both the vineyard and the cellar. To summarize its obligations, organic wine must be made from certified organic grapes, as well as the sugar, must, or alcohol used during chaptalization and mutage. Also, its specifications prohibit certain winemaking practices such as de-alcoholization, electrodialysis, or thermovinification. The European Union also mandates a sulfite level 50 milligrams per liter lower than conventional wines, i.e., a maximum of 100 milligrams per liter for organic red wines and a maximum of 150 milligrams per liter for organic white wines.
The organic sector is booming, representing nearly 10% of global vineyard area in 2021 with growth of +3.2% compared to 2020 and +78% in 10 years. France is a leader in this field, hosting nearly a third of the world's organic vineyards, followed by its Italian and Spanish neighbors. But organic farming is not only beneficial for the environment; it is also a driver of social well-being. According to a study by Riccardo Vecchio, the organic wine industry creates 50% more jobs than the conventional wine industry, offering more stable jobs with a third of certified farms employing one or more permanent employees, compared to one in five for uncertified farms.
What are the different organic labels recognized in France?
It is INAO that delegates organic farming control and certification activities to independent and approved certification bodies, including Agrocert, Bureau Veritas Certification France, Certipaq bio, Certis, Certisud, Ecocert, Qualisud, Bureau Alpes Contrôles. Every year, certified vineyards are audited by one of these bodies, and in case of irregularity, a unique catalog of measures is applied. A label project to identify farms in the conversion phase (over one or more years) is also under study.
However, for some winemakers, the AB label is too flexible and allows for farming that claims to be organic but has some industrial deviations, notably with the support of large retailers who are trying to seize these new market opportunities. Therefore, two new labels have emerged: Nature & Progrès and Bio Cohérence have stricter specifications, including a ban on sales through mass distribution channels, a measure whose implementation aims to promote short supply chains.
It should be noted that there are many other labels categorizing organic wines that have stricter specifications. Demeter and Biodyvin regulate biodynamic wines or wines from biodynamic winemaking, an esoteric viticulture that considers the vine as a living ecosystem with more rigorous legislation on operations carried out in the cellar. Stricter than biodynamics (or biodynamic wine), the Vin Méthode Nature label proposes a charter for natural wine with an emphasis on low addition of sulfites in the wine and the use of indigenous yeasts. Terra Vitis and Haute Valeur Environnementale are two labels that promote sustainable development, through the preservation of biodiversity, phytosanitary strategies, and fertilization and irrigation management.
Finally, it should also be remembered that many winemakers refuse to be categorized under any label because it would mean denying the principle of the agricultural counter-model: emancipating oneself from standardized norms, not fitting into boxes. This can be seen as a way for the winemaker to assert themselves as unique and with a strong identity.
How is consuming organic wine better for the environment?
One of the great strengths of organic winemakers is their ability to bring life back to the soil and the surrounding flora and fauna. In France, viticulture accounts for 20% of agricultural pesticide use, compared to only 3% of agricultural land. Organic viticulture therefore emerges as an ecological hope: little to no use of phytosanitary products, recourse to organic fertilizers and compost, a reduction of up to one-third of CO2 emissions compared to conventional wine. With better respect for the vine, there is on the one hand a rebirth of the soil, which slows down erosion and promotes subterranean flora and fauna, and on the other hand, a rebirth of pollinators (bees, butterflies...) thanks to an increasing presence of life between the vines (hedges, wild plants, shrubs...).
Organic viticulture also allows for better water management, notably with less water stress (more organic matter in the soil allows for better water retention) and especially less artificial irrigation (the resilience of the vine is preferred). Each cuvée, each vintage, each bottle, in short, each wine from organic farming is therefore directly influenced by climatic hazards, which makes it possible to produce a wine (red wine, white wine, rosé wine, orange wine, sparkling wine) with its own distinct and marked personality.
How is consuming organic wine better for health?
No one can deny that alcohol, and therefore wine, is dangerous for health and should be consumed in moderation. Nevertheless, where conventional wine may contain pesticide residues, additives, and chemicals, organic wine reduces the presence of these harmful substances. It is also full of living bacteria and yeasts that can have benefits for the microbiota, including improved blood vessel function, improved protection of brain cells against cognitive damage, reduced risk of certain types of cancer (especially breast cancer), and better digestion thanks to the production of digestive enzymes stimulated by wine.
Another undeniable health benefit of organic wine is the reduction of sulfites, preservatives widely used in conventional wine to stabilize it. For an equivalent amount consumed, an organic wine will cause fewer headaches the next day than a conventional wine!
What are the advantages of organic farming for winemakers?
When we talk about organic wine, we often think about the health of our planet or our body, but we think much less about the health of our winemakers. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to observe cases of cancer or respiratory problems among winegrowers, due to synthetic chemicals used such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or fertilizers. Conversely, organic wine aims to drastically reduce these substances, so organic viticulture is beneficial for those who work the vines daily.
Although organic farming requires more physical and organizational effort, it exposes winemakers to significantly fewer toxic products. The use of alternative methods is also beneficial from a psychological point of view, as some producers state that the quality of the organic wine produced offers and brings a deep meaning to their profession, and according to a virtuous circle, this helps maintain a respectful, attentive, and intuitive relationship with their wine work.
But organic farming is also synonymous with short supply chains and therefore support for local economies with a win-win situation for all: the consumer has full traceability of the bottles consumed, and the producer has an income that better reflects the reality of their work. A virtuous system is thus created where the winemaker has more financial resources, allowing them to experiment with new things (new grape varieties, for example) and thus increase consumer satisfaction.
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966 products
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.
Nc'nean Organic Single Malt
L'explorateur du goût
Nc'nean Organic Single Malt has all the information in its name: this single malt Scotch whisky, labeled Eurofeuille, is made at the Nc'nean distillery, founded by Annabel Thomas in the West Highlands. The distillery is certified organic and BCorp-certified (a global organic and ethical label). The Celtic goddess Neachneohain, protector of nature, inspired the brand name.
Production
100% organic Scottish malted barley is slowly crushed before fermentation, which can last up to 114 hours. The purest and fruitiest part is used for distillation. The whisky is aged in red wine and American whiskey barrels. The use of diverse indigenous yeasts gives Nc’nean whiskies their unique identity.
Tasting
On the nose, Nc’Nean Organic Single Malt offers a creamy, lemony note, followed by peach, apricot, and rye bread. The palate is spicy, fruity, and delicate, with a smooth, elegant finish. A perfect whisky for all occasions.
L’Explorateur du goût: to find out more
This Nc’Nean Organic single malt was selected by L’Explorateur du goût, a project by François Sommer that seeks out the best spirits from around the world. Its conditions: ecological concern (Bcorp label of respect for social and environmental standards; organic certification for most of the references…), attention to people and the terroir (solid and lasting relationships with producers), quality of products and taste, originality. In the catalog: French spirits (cognac, calvados…) and exotic spirits (whisky, rum, mezcal…), not forgetting liqueurs and tonics. Something to delight any bartender, amateur mixologist or simply demanding consumer.
Meadowsweet Spirits
This organic and artisanal meadowsweet liqueur is made by the Granier liqueur factory, near Annecy (Haute-Savoie). It's a true discovery, a very original liqueur with a variety of uses.
The Plant
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is the wild version of a garden plant called astilbe. Found in marshy areas and damp meadows, this plant from the Rosaceae family bears a pretty tuft of small white flowers. Fragrant, loved by bees and melliferous, it is above all very beneficial: rich in salicylic acid, it is at the origin of the manufacture of aspirin and has many medicinal virtues: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, healing, diuretic, vulnerary, digestive, etc., it fights against water retention, rheumatism and fever.
Manufacture
The meadowsweet and mallow flowers are picked in the Alps and macerated in water from the Boubioz spring, near Lake Annecy. The blend is made with organic wheat alcohol and organic sugar produced in the Vosges and the Palatine Forest. The other ingredients are Menton lemon zest and Timut pepper.
Tasting
A revelation with its exceptional aroma, its slightly vinous and fruity taste reminiscent of caramelized apple and black tea, with nuances of red port. This very fragrant liqueur surprises and seduces the palate, while communicating the medicinal virtues of meadowsweet. With its delicious flavor, this organic meadowsweet liqueur deserves to be enjoyed on its own, but also on ice, as a refreshing long drink, as an aperitif, a digestif, in cooking and in mixology. It will be served with delicious tapas: Iberian bellota ham, cecina or beef ham. On the sweet side, it goes with all pastries: cakes, gateaux, tartes …
Learn more about Granier liqueurs
The Granier liqueur factory — two brothers, Vincent and Stéphane Granier — produces artisanal liqueurs from the Haute-Savoie region. Flavor, sweetness, and balance are their great qualities, resulting from a meticulous and measured infusion technique to minimize extraction.
Wild or organically grown
The plants grown organically, or picked in the mountains surrounding Annecy, are obtained through short supply chains and for this reason reflect the flora of the steep meadows or gardens of Haute-Savoie. Everything is organic and additive-free, from the initial infusion to bottling.
Intact flavors
During the tasting, we were amazed by the Granier liqueurs, one after the other. Never before have we been given such fresh plant flavors by liqueurs. We have the sensation of tasting the plant itself, infused in all its singularity, supported by just the right amount of organic sugar (that is to say, little) produced in the Palatine Forest and just the right amount of alcohol. An organic beer alcohol that allows the plant to convey its message without interference. Not only is it delicious, but it is also an excellent digestif. Verbena, genepi, gentian, mint or meadowsweet, we guarantee you: you will have a good time.
Pastis 2022 Spirits
Garagai
Garagaï is an organic and artisanal pastis from the Provençal region, produced by Maixent Dubois. All the plants that compose it were either picked in the Sainte-Victoire mountain region, in the Aix region in the spring of 2022, or grown organically at the distillery. It's a distinctive and delicious pastis that will be a welcome change from industrial versions.
Production
The plants, picked at the time of flowering, are macerated while still fresh. The maceration time depends on each plant, depending on how the macerates are tasted. The macerates are then filtered and the remaining plants distilled. The blend is carried out over about twenty macerations, after which the mixture rests to marry the aromas and is filtered before bottling. The sweetening is very light, at a rate of 6 g of Butinarello lavender honey per liter of pastis. Here is the composition: star anise, licorice, wild thyme, lemon thyme, rosemary, savory, fennel, tarragon, lemon balm, lemon basil, Marseille basil, absinthe, mugwort, bay leaf, peppermint, spearmint, dill, coriander, green anise, oregano, hyssop, agastache.
Tasting
You can immediately taste the difference, this Garagaï pastis has nothing to do with the mass-market versions: no overly sweet notes; the blend is subtle, the plants form a harmonious bouquet. The aging potential is unlimited, but it is recommended to drink an opened bottle within two months to preserve all its aromatic qualities. What do you serve this pastis with? Peanuts. But also small antipasti from Olio di Serra, Mediterranean starters, tapas, Spanish canned fish, cured meats, the bottarga…
Learn more about the Garagaï distillery
Garagaï is the name of a chasm (or rather two chasms, the large and small Garagaï) located at the top of the Sainte-Victoire mountain. It follows that the products of the Garagaï distillery display a strong Provençal identity. The distillery was born in 2019, created by Maixent Dubois, a local boy who went from working in winemaking to working with spirits.
A desire for pastis
Maixent has long dreamed of making pastis. He will interpret the recipe with love and finesse, growing his organic plants on site or having them picked in the Aix region, around the Sainte-Victoire mountain. The result is a first distinctive and emblematic product, Garagaï pastis, released in 2020. It is made using entirely artisanal methods and organic products, and distilled in a Charentais-style still. Other pastis will follow, as well as syrups made from Mediterranean plants.
The aperitif of the sun
Obtained using various techniques (hot infusion, cold maceration, bain-marie distillation), Garagaï pastis are subtle, complex, and aromatic thanks to the meticulous work of blending the distillates. This will be a change from industrial pastis; it's time to rediscover this aperitif liqueur that so beautifully evokes summer and sunshine.
Guignes et Guins Liqueur 2019,
Distillerie Cazottes
This guignes et guins liqueur is an organic and natural spirit (Eurofeuille label) produced in the Tarn region. It is a great success for the Cazottes distillery, which has many of them. It is made from two types of cherries: organic guignes (old variety black cherries) and guins (wild cherries or wild cherries) grown in Laurent Cazottes' garden, without pesticides or any additives.
Production
Once the fruit is harvested, it is pitted by hand and macerated naturally for 14 months in the estate's organic, slightly sweetened brandy. Everything is then pressed and bottled. The liqueur is 18% proof.
Tasting
Some will remember the guignolet, a cherry liqueur evoked by this liqueur of guignes and guins from the Cazottes distillery. It is an intensely fruity, dense, rich and sensual liqueur, a little tannic, with notes of red rose, cedar wood and candied cherry. A real aromatic bomb that you will love to enjoy on its own or use as a flavoring to cook a pigeon or roast duck. It will also go well with red fruit tarts. Delicious with a beef ham.
Learn more about the Cazottes distillery
Laurent Cazottes, winemaker, distiller and natural liqueur maker, is a revealer of quintessences. In Villeneuve-sur-Vère, near Gaillac (Tarn), he cultivates a veritable Eden of biodiversity. On limestone soil, he cultivates fruit trees, vines, shrubs and vegetable plants, which he transforms into wines, eaux-de-vie and liqueurs.
Production secrets
First of all, the integrity of the fruit and the vine, cultivated in certified organic (Eurofeuille and Nature & Progrès labels) and biodynamically, then careful attention given to their maceration at perfect maturity in the estate's organic eau-de-vie, and finally a precise and light dosage of sugar.
The Cazottes touch
"Liqueur does not mean sweet," Laurent likes to say. The particularity of Cazottes liqueurs and eaux-de-vie is their fidelity to the raw material: it is the whole fruit that we have in our mouths, with all its nuances and its delicacy. They are low in alcohol, low in sugar: they are exceptional nectars.
Westerberg Blanc 2023,
The subtle and mouth-watering expression of a unique terroir
The Westerberg 2023, produced by Domaine Einhart, is a highly expressive cuvée that combines Gewurztraminer and Riesling, two emblematic grape varieties of Alsace. Produced from vines planted on a terroir of limestone silt, this cuvée draws its unique character from a meticulous 11-month maturation in foudres, which amplifies its complexity while preserving its freshness.
An intense and elegant tasting
On the nose, the Westerberg 2023 reveals a striking aromatic richness: notes of candied apricot, juicy pear and jasmine blend harmoniously with touches of mango and citrus. On the palate, this wine displays a supple and velvety texture, balanced by a marked mineral freshness. The vibrant acidity brings a beautiful salivation, while the long and persistent finish highlights brioche and slightly buttery nuances. This contrast between breadth and liveliness makes this wine a true sensory journey.
Refined pairings for a varied gastronomy
The richness and finesse of the Westerberg 2023 make it a perfect ally for the table. It enhances grilled fish dishes, seafood, or even roast poultry. It also pairs well with Mediterranean and Asian cuisines, where its exotic aromas and ample structure will find a beautiful echo. Finally, it pairs elegantly with mature cheeses and fruit desserts, such as an apricot tart or a citrus mousse.
Serve between 6 and 8°C after decanting, this wine is ready to be enjoyed now, but will also evolve magnificently in the cellar for at least 5 years.
Frohnberg White 2023,
A bright and balanced cuvée, a tribute to Auxerrois and Pinot Noir
The Frohnberg 2023, by Domaine Einhart, is a captivating blend of Auxerrois and Pinot Noir. This organic AOP Alsace white wine reflects a unique clay-limestone terroir, enhanced by direct pressing and careful vinification. Aged for one month in stainless steel vats on fine lees, the Frohnberg 2023 is a vibrant wine, where purity and elegance combine to offer a refined experience.
A fresh and precise tasting
On the nose, the Frohnberg 2023 unfolds delicate and seductive aromas: notes of citrus, lemon and white flower intertwine with touches of pear and a mineral hint reminiscent of flint. On the palate, the attack is straightforward and fresh, carried by a lively acidity that gives this wine a beautiful energy. The texture is fluid, taut and precise, with a marked salinity on the finish. A subtle minerality accompanies the long persistence, revealing all the richness of its terroir.
A wine for gastronomy and conviviality
The Frohnberg 2023 is a versatile wine, ideal to accompany fresh and delicate cuisine. It pairs wonderfully with seafood, grilled or raw fish such as sea bream carpaccio, but also with crisp vegetables and fresh cheeses. Its liveliness and finesse also make it a perfect choice for elegant aperitifs or gourmet meals.
Serve between 8 and 10°C after a light decanting, this wine can be enjoyed now or wait a few years to develop even more complexity.
Maginstère Gin,
Sentema Distillery
An exceptional, truly Provençal gin
Maginstère, a Provençal-inspired gin, is made from organic Provençal wine brandy and distilled three times to achieve an incomparable aromatic complexity. With juniper berries harvested in Correns, Menton IGP lemon and plants such as verbena and coriander, this spirit seduces with its powerful nose and its length in the mouth.
To be enjoyed neat, on ice, or in a cocktail, Maginstère reinvents gin with a Provençal elegance.
To find out more
The Sentema Distillery offers exceptional spirits, created on an eau-de-vie of organic Provence wines, distilled by hand on copper pot stills, made entirely with French plants and fruits, for unique recipes with frank and natural flavors.
Hedyos Red 2023
Hedyos is a red wine from the Gaillac terroir (Occitanie), organic and natural, produced by Domaine Bois-Moisset and classified as a Vin de France. A classic Syrah from the South, remarkable for its lightness and drinkability.
Vinification
Hedyos is 100% Syrah, produced without any chemical additives and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The Syrah harvest macerates for two weeks in whole bunches.
Tasting
A spicy lightness characterizes Hedyos, a red wine from Domaine Bois Moisset. The Syrah is fluid, supple, and mineral, with a dominant sweet spice and notes of black olives. It pairs well with Mediterranean dishes, tapenade, bagna cauda or anchoïade, pizzas, and pissaladières.
Learn more about Domaine Bois-Moisset
In the heart of France's oldest vineyard—Gaillac, in the Tarn region—Sylvie Ledran, Philippe Maffre, and their son Hippolyte oversee their Bois-Moisset estate, a wine-growing property associated with mixed crop and livestock farming, all organic. Gaillac is famous for its many ancient indigenous grape varieties, and its wine-growing heritage is uniquely rich.
Cows and Vines
Domaine Bois-Moisset is also home to a herd of old local breed cows, and guest rooms are available during the summer months. 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.
Native grape varieties
The grape varieties are dominated by Syrah and Duras, but the wines of the Bois-Moisset estate reflect the ampelographic richness of the Gaillac region (braucol, prunelart, loin-de-l’œil, mauzac, braucol, ondenc, etc.). The red wines are crisply fruity, concentrated but with smooth and delicate tannins, the whites have character and the pet’ nat’ are particularly tasty.
Sylvaner Siggi White 2017,
Siggi (the s is pronounced z) is an organic, biodynamic, and natural Alsatian dry white wine (AB label) from Jean-Marc Dreyer, vinified from Sylvaner grapes without added sulfites. A beautiful aging process (seven years, the age of reason) allows Siggi to be appreciated at its peak.
Vinification
The Sylvaner grapes from Jean-Marc Dreyer's estate, grown organically, are hand-harvested and directly pressed. The wine undergoes two years of maturation in foudres and finishes this maturation in bottles. No topping up, no addition of sulfites or other additives, no filtration.
Tasting
Clean orange color, nose of citrus and dried fruits and a little sparkle at the opening. Woody palate, controlled oxidation, walnuts, hazelnut, acidity comes next with notes of peach and nectarine associated with leather and yeasty touches, not to mention saline and iodized notes. The finish returns to hazelnut. This incredible complexity gives Siggi a key to all pairings. It will be paired with cheeses, spicy cuisine, Indian curries and Réunion curries. It is also a good partner for well-roasted poultry and pata negra ham. We recommend a good decanting.
Learn more about Jean-Marc Dreyer
Jean-Marc Dreyer, a biodynamic and natural Alsace winemaker (AB organic certification label), succeeds several generations of his family at the Dreyer & Fils estate, created in 1830 between Obernai and Molsheim. Upon taking over the estate, he immediately opted for biodynamics. In 2009, upon returning from a pilgrimage to Compostela, he decided to never again add sulfur to any wine. Having made this decision, he asserted his style around skin maceration, accentuated and chiseled, bringing out the soul of Alsatian grape varieties. Jean-Marc also works in direct pressing and often with single varietals. He also produces Pinot Noir reds of surprising depth.
Maceration and direct press
Jean-Marc Dreyer's wines are characterized by whole-bunch maceration (but you should also try his direct-press whites). "Maceration in Alsace," he says, "is an ancestral tradition! In the past, we worked by hand and let the grapes macerate before sending the pomace to the press." Gentle oxidation is also a particular feature of his wines, generally vinified without topping up. Jean-Marc is best known for his "Origin" series, a finely macerated expression of Alsace grape varieties, but we invite you to discover his other wines.
Chateau Roulant Red 20/21
Benoit Camus
Château Roulant is a Beaujolais red wine, organic and natural (Ecocert certified), made from Gamay. Classified as a Vin de France, it is produced by Benoît Camus at his Pierre Dorées estate, in the south of the appellation. Its name evokes the itinerant life once led by the winemaker, a former seasonal agricultural worker.
Vinification
The Gamay vines of Beaujolais grow on clay-limestone soils. The very steep plots prohibit any mechanized work. The harvest, carried out by hand, undergoes a three-week semi-carbonic maceration. The wine is aged in concrete vats for fifteen months.
Tasting
The Beaujolais wines from Pierre Dorées are structured, long-lasting, and beautifully fruity. Here, after admiring a bright garnet color, we find strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, and cranberry, with a beautiful acidity in the mid-palate giving way to a rich and voluptuous finish. Freshness and acidity, leather, earth, and some animal notes. Wonderful richness in the mouth that we will enjoy accompanying with cold meats and cured meats, poultry such as pigeon or duck. Or even Red Meats .
Learn more about Benoît Camus
You might think he's itinerant, with his vintages called "Château roulant" or "Vagabond", but for Benoît Camus, it's a memory of his previous life, when he was a seasonal farmer in the Rhône Valley and as far as Roussillon. Since 2003, he has settled in Southern Beaujolais, in the Pierres Dorées terroir, to make organic (Ecocert) and natural wines.
Nature before, nature always
Before purchasing his seven-hectare estate from an old winemaker, the vines had not yet seen pesticides or chemical additives. Many in Beaujolais worked this way. He made his first vintage in 2006, "natural without knowing it," he says. A brief attempt at chemical spraying to treat grape worm definitively dissuaded him from adding anything to the vineyard or the cellar. He acquired Ecocert organic certification and continues to make natural wines.
The Pierre Dorées terroir
The southern Beaujolais, with its clay-limestone soils, produces wines that are more structured and powerful than those from the granite soils of the North. This is the profile presented by the reds of Benoît Camus, natural wines that are straight, dense and long-aging, with good acidity and well-integrated tannins, not forgetting abundant, rich and seductive fruit.
Pinot Gris Origin Blanc 2021
Jean-Marc Dreyer
Dense, taut, dry, and aromatic, Jean-Marc Dreyer's Pinot Gris Origin expresses structure and integrity here. Jean-Marc Dreyer's Origin range is dedicated to single-varietal cuvées based on Alsatian varieties, here the classic Pinot Gris grape variety, formerly called Tokay in Alsace, macerated in whole bunches. Pinot Gris Origin is a true redefinition of this world-famous grape variety, whose name has been somewhat misused by the American market in its Italian form (Pinot Grigio) in recent years, which makes this Alsatian interpretation particularly interesting, based not only on the local expression of the grape variety but also on the deployment of its possibilities. Here, maceration gives it a new character, marked by tension and rectitude. It finally finds its say and adds a few strings to its bow. Pairs with practically everything, but come on, we'll dare: with caviar, it's the best. Biodynamic method, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, unfiltered, unclarified, no sulfites added in the vineyard or in the cellar.
Find out more
"Maceration in Alsace is a tradition!" says Jean-Marc Dreyer, adding that direct pressing in this region is a modern invention, linked to the advent of electricity. In the past, we worked by hand and let the grapes macerate before sending the marc to the press. " Whole bunch maceration is Jean-Marc Dreyer's signature and represents 85% of the estate's production, the rest consisting of direct-pressed whites, often aged using controlled oxidation. Jean-Marc succeeds several generations of his family at the Dreyer & Fils estate, created in 1830 between Obernai and Molsheim. Upon taking over the estate, he immediately opted for biodynamics, but he hesitated for a while between several methods: at the beginning, his wines were more oaky, aged in new barrels with stirring. Then, a sweet period: all his wines contain residual sugar. In 2008, he tried vinifying without any sulfur and found his direction: the following winter, upon returning from the pilgrimage to Compostela, he swore never to add sulfur to any wine again. Having made this decision, he asserts his style around skin maceration, quite advanced, chiseled, always surprising on Alsatian grape varieties, of which it brings out the structure without sacrificing the delicacy. Jean-Marc works in single-varietal or blended vintages and also produces Pinot Noir reds of surprising depth.
Pinot Noir Red 2021
Domaine Einhart
The deep, purplish color of this Pinot Noir from Domaine Einhart evokes black cherry: this is a velvety, ripe red, 100% Pinot Noir from the estate, with an intense, fragrant, and gently fruity aroma. The first nose is enhanced by aromas of black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry) with a hint of freshness blended into a light vanilla woodiness. The second nose is more open, with aromas of blood orange, bitter almond, and kirsch. On the palate, the small fruits are still present, supported by present but well-melted tannins, and lead to a velvety finish resting on a lovely freshness. Plenty of persistence and length. The Pinot Noirs from which it is made, aged around thirty years, grow on the muschelkalk (shell limestone) terroirs of Dittelsberg-Albermohn and are harvested by hand, then destemmed. Maceration, on indigenous yeasts, takes between ten and twelve days. Aging for one year on fine lees, in demi-muids, precedes bottling without filtration. From the vineyard to the cellar, this wine was made without any chemical additives or added sulfites. Decanting is recommended so that it fully expresses all its finesse and grace. The magnum format is only good for it, accentuating its velvety texture and depth.
To find out more
Located in the northern part of the Alsatian vineyard, horizontally above Strasbourg, the Einhart estate is a ten-hectare family property whose vines are located on the hillsides that rise between the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains. The soil is clay-limestone and rich in fossils (muschelkalk, i.e. shell limestone and oolitic limestone, and lettenkohle or dolomitic limestone). Since 1990, Nicolas Einhart has been at the helm, now assisted by his son Théo. True to his commitments to the TIFLO association, of which he is a co-founder, Nicolas devotes his winemaking to protecting the land and biodiversity, making wine without inputs, refusing harmful phytosanitary products, and maintaining ecological refuge areas. His estate has been certified organic since 2011. Like Jean-Marc Dreyer [link], he is firmly focused on skin maceration and produces white maceration wines (orange wines) in addition to a Pinot Noir red. Entirely manual harvests, destemming of the grapes, light punching down, and delicate pressing are characteristic of the estate, as well as the separate vinification of each terroir, aging on lees, and the absence of filtration before bottling. The wines are pure grapes, lively, powerful, and tonic, and transcribe the minerality of the very beautiful terroirs of the Vosges foothills.
Muscanna Blanc 2021
Domaine Einhart
The magnum format will amplify the richness of its aromas and the smooth tannins of this Muscanna, whose color is a beautiful orange-amber, with superb brightness. The initial nose offers the rich aromas typical of overripe Muscat berries, slightly smoky. A second, very refined nose brings a hint of citrus that invites tasting. On the palate, the attack is very straightforward and ample, accompanied by a smooth acidity expressed through notes of candied quince. The finish is invigorating, with smooth tannins linked to maceration. Magnificently complex, this dry white is Domaine Einhart's homage to the Muscat grape variety, as the name of the cuvée indicates. Muscanna is indeed a 100% Alsace Muscat, grown on the estate and harvested by hand when overripe. The vines are around 25 years old and grow on the splendid oolitic limestone (muschelkalk) terroirs in the Fleckenstein, Westerberg, and Meyen areas. The harvest is destemmed, maceration in vats lasts four to six days, and fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged in stainless steel vats on fine lees and is unfiltered at bottling. We recommend decanting Muscanna to help it develop its splendid aromas.
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Located in the northern part of the Alsatian vineyard, horizontally above Strasbourg, the Einhart estate is a ten-hectare family property whose vines are located on the hillsides that rise between the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains. The soil is clay-limestone and rich in fossils (muschelkalk, i.e. shell limestone and oolitic limestone, and lettenkohle or dolomitic limestone). Since 1990, Nicolas Einhart has been at the helm, now assisted by his son Théo. Faithful to his commitments to the TIFLO association, of which he is a co-founder, Nicolas devotes his winemaking work to the protection of the land and biodiversity, winemaking without inputs, the refusal of harmful phytosanitary products and the maintenance of ecological refuge zones. His estate has been certified organic since 2011. Like Jean-Marc Dreyer [link], he is firmly focused on skin maceration and produces white maceration wines (orange wines) in addition to a Pinot Noir red. Entirely manual harvests, destemming of the grapes, light punching down and delicate pressing are characteristic of the estate, as well as the separate vinification of each terroir, aging on lees and the absence of filtration before bottling. The wines are pure grape, lively, powerful, invigorating, and transcribe the minerality of the very beautiful terroirs of the Vosges foothills.
Muscat Petit Grain White 2002
A liqueur muscat in the tradition of Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, the region where the estate is located. This petit grain muscat is a fortified wine, meaning a must whose fermentation has been interrupted by the addition of alcohol. This produces a delicious beverage, both sweet and fresh, with incredible aromatic complexity. You can keep it chilled almost indefinitely after opening, tightly corked: ideal for pouring a drink for friends who are visiting. Also interesting for catering, served by the glass, due to its stability once the bottle is uncorked. Almost unlimited pairings. Serve chilled.
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Le Petit Domaine de Gimios is located near Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, an ancient terroir and source of sweet muscats from the Languedoc. In fact, the estate is dedicated to the region's typical small-grain muscat (in addition to a few other varieties), and Anne-Marie Lavaysse is firmly rooted in tradition by producing fine wines from this precious grape variety. In 1993, she and her son Pierre took over several old, abandoned vineyards, which she now uses to create the estate. Small, certainly, but multicultural and almost self-sufficient: the muscat from old vines shares the space with vegetable and food crops, fruit trees, and some livestock farming. None of this receives any chemical inputs, sulfur, or mechanical force, and the estate, certified by Écocert, is cultivated biodynamically. On these five hectares, viticulture and mixed farming are one. The harvest is carried out by hand in the early morning, destemmed and foot-trodden, before macerating for approximately ten days using native yeasts. No sulfites are added during bottling. The wines are universally described as "delicious," "pure and fresh," "clear and easy to drink." The house produces dry, sweet, liqueur-like, and fortified muscats, as well as very fruity reds made from traditional local grape varieties. Everywhere, the impression of biting into fresh grapes is felt.
Moelleux de Muscat Blanc 2012
Le Petit Gimios
Truly special and unique, the moelleux de Muscat from Petit Domaine de Gimios is a sweet wine that will intrigue your palate: charm, character, complexity, a touch of mystery, a sweetness that lingers languidly with a magnificent finish. It is intended for lovers of wines that stray from the beaten track without losing their voluptuousness. This moelleux de Muscat comes from a plot that the estate also works dry. It will pair well with tapas, dinner or lunch aperitifs, raw fish and seafood.
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Le Petit Domaine de Gimios is located near Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, an ancient terroir and origin of sweet muscats from Languedoc. In fact, the estate is dedicated to the region's typical small grain muscat (in addition to a few other varieties), and Anne-Marie Lavaysse places herself directly in the tradition by producing beautiful wines from this precious grape variety. In 1993, she and her son Pierre took over several old abandoned vineyards, which she now owns. Small, certainly, but multicultural and almost self-sufficient: the muscat from old vines shares the space with vegetable and food crops, fruit trees and some livestock. None of this receives any chemical inputs, sulfur, or mechanical force, and the Ecocert-certified estate is cultivated biodynamically. On these five hectares, viticulture and mixed farming are one and the same. The manual harvest takes place in the early morning, the grapes are destemmed and crushed by foot, before macerating for about ten days using indigenous yeasts. No sulfites are added during bottling. The wines are universally described as "delicious," "pure and fresh," "frank and digestible." The estate produces dry, sweet, liqueur, and fortified muscats, as well as very fruity reds made from traditional local grape varieties. Everywhere, the impression of biting into fresh grapes.
White Absinthe 60° - 70cl
Awen Nature Distillery
This certified organic white absinthe is the result of a special recipe that was the subject of many years of research by the founder of the Awen Nature distillery. Entirely organic and natural, it derives its flavor from a combination of seven distilled botanicals, a bouquet that expresses very refreshing notes, always with a dominant anise and complex notes of plants such as wormwood, coriander, hyssop, and lemongrass. This absinthe is created and distilled exactly as this liqueur was before the 1915 ban. To fully appreciate it, we recommend the traditional method: in a glass containing a measure of absinthe, place a sugar cube on an absinthe spoon and pour fresh water drop by drop over the sugar cube. Upon contact with water, white absinthe becomes slightly cloudy to reveal iridescent and brilliant reflections.
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The Awen Nature distillery is a factory of magic potions: beverages with a strong Celtic content, organic liqueurs with a strong touch of poetry. This Breton distillery, located in Ille-et-Vilaine and run by Julien Fanny, initially dedicated itself to absinthe, a liqueur that Julien helped to rehabilitate. It’s not “the liqueur that makes you crazy,” he says: “we were already crazy before.” He strives—successfully—to reproduce the taste of yesteryear, that of the absinthes that were once given to children on a piece of sugar as a dewormer. “You need a touch of madness to be a distiller today,” says Julien. In addition to absinthe, Julien distills a wide range of spirits and liqueurs: gins, vodkas, botanical rums, Swedish elixir, concoctions inspired by role-playing games... All made from plants, respecting the environment, without preservatives or artificial flavors. An ode to plants that the korrigans must sip in secret, at night, on the moors.
Vino Bianco Ambar White 2020
Àmbar ("amber"), aptly named, is a dry macerated white wine that stands out with its beautiful amber color with pink highlights typical of an orange wine. It is a ripe, straightforward wine, surprisingly easy to drink. The nose is delicately floral, as is the palate. Àmbar is very fresh and has lovely acidity. It offers tobacco, spices, orange peel, almond, and toasted notes, without losing its beautiful fruitiness. Plenty of minerality, earth, and a touch of creaminess after aeration. This wine is made from the Grechetto grape variety, macerated and fermented on the skins in thousand-liter terracotta jars. After pressing, the wines are aged, always separately, for eight to ten months in old oak barrels before being blended in fiberglass vats.
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The Azienda Corva Gialla ("yellow crow") is a wine estate in Lazio, Italy, located on the edge of Umbria in the Alta Tuscia Viterbese. A volcanic region considered one of the most beautiful in Italy and characterized by its calanches, high tuff rock formations delimiting deep valleys carved by numerous rivers and torrents. Corva Gialla is located in Lubriano, opposite Civita di Bagnoregio. Alta Tuscia is proving to be a breeding ground for young winemaking talents dedicated to nature, who are enhancing these historically neglected lands. Founded in 2017, the estate comprises four hectares cultivated by Beatrice Arweiler, originally from another wine-growing region, between the Rhine and the Moselle. The new owner has also planted an olive grove (Frantoio and Leccino varieties) and developed the estate into a mixed crop-livestock system. The vines were planted with the help of Gian Marco Antonuzzi of the Le Coste estate. The friable volcanic soil lends itself magnificently to viticulture and the planting of grape varieties such as Grechetto d'Umbria, Trebbiano, Vermentino, Sangiovese, and Ciliegiolo. The estate's wines are quintessentially Italian, meaning they are crafted above all for pleasure. They are straightforward, deep, and
Pauvre Diable Red 2020,
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.
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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.
Ma' Carotte Blanc 2018,
Frédéric Gounan
It will meet all occasions. Fruity, balanced, fresh, and mineral, Ma' Carotte is an orange wine—in other words, a macerated white—from Auvergne made from equal parts Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc, directly pressed. Enjoy it, Frédéric doesn't make it every year.
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Coming from a farming family established in the commune of Saint-Sandoux (Puy-de-Dôme) for at least two centuries, Frédéric Gounan was first a mechanic and prototype designer for the French motorcycle brand Voxan, headquartered in Issoire. He turned away from the industrial world to devote himself to wine with his partner Caroline. He intends to take advantage of the magnificent terroirs of his native village, far from "pissing the vines", as was done in the past: he notes that everything that comes from this land has exceptional taste qualities. He takes over plots of Gamay d'Auvergne, plants other grape varieties, and ends up producing vintages that are among the tastiest and most sought-after in Auvergne. On this land of the Chaîne des Puys, Pinot Noirs grow on black basalt soils, Sauvignons and Pinot Gris rest on white clay-limestone soils pebbled with basalt. A follower of organic and biodynamic agriculture, Frédéric also applies methods that he considers appropriate to the climate and the terroir: to facilitate photosynthesis in this harsh and contrasting climate, he practices lyre trellising which allows the vines' foliage to be aerated and exposed to the sun, guaranteeing ripe fruit at harvest. Still a mechanic at heart, he makes his tools and tinkers with his tractors according to his needs. His wines are rare and distinguished, highly sought after by connoisseurs: small estate (less than two hectares), small production (by volume, not by spirit).
