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325 products
325 products
Combe du Temps Red 2020,
Les Vignes du Domaine du Temps
La Combe du Temps rouge is a powerful but not heavy wine: red fruits are layered with notes of undergrowth, earth, garrigue, and mineral, on a rather full-bodied and tannic structure. Natural and elegant, not lacking in freshness, La Combe du Temps rouge was fermented naturally with indigenous yeasts, without filtration or fining, then aged 20% of the total volume in barrels. The wine has more than moderate oak. Very balanced, it is a Languedoc blend (equal parts Syrah and Grenache) that plays on freshness with a beautiful chewiness.
To find out more
The Domaine du Temps is located in Cabardès, a small region of Languedoc that was once a subdivision of the Cathar Country. Starting 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, rich in Mediterranean flora, it is a preserved ecosystem, especially since the Domaine du Temps, in the place called Font Juvénal, 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 freshness 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 determined 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.
€123,00
Unit price per€123,00
Unit price perVolnay 1er Cru Carelle Sous la Chapelle Red 2020
Full of roundness, with a magnificent, refined, and airy bouquet, this superb premier cru Pinot Noir red wine comes from a sloping, west-facing plot at an altitude of approximately 280 meters, on marl-limestone soils. The grapes macerate in whole bunches. Aging is approximately one year in barrels. The name of the plot refers to the old chapel that can still be seen today on the side of the road leading to Monthélie, at the bottom of the village. The term "carelle" refers to the shape of the plot, from the Latin quadrus, "square".
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Through his entirely natural work, Frédéric Cossard gives voice to the terroirs and Burgundy wines, undeformed by agricultural chemicals. Having observed, during his years of trading, the existence of harmful viticultural practices, the winemaker used this counter-example to practice unadulterated viticulture. Thus, he produces vintages of purity and elegance without artifice that are among the most sought-after in Burgundy. Frédéric worked as a wine broker for some time before creating the Domaine de Chassorney with his partner Laure in 1996: initially a few ares of vines in Saint-Romain, Auxey-Duresses and Savigny-lès-Beaune, and currently ten hectares spread across the Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard, Volnay, Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune and Bourgogne appellations. In 2006, he created his own wine trading house and buys organic grapes to vinify, according to his style and convictions, great vintages such as Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Pommard, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée and several Beaujolais crus. The practice is not limited to Burgundy since vintages are made from grapes purchased in the Jura or Languedoc. At his place, the work of the soil and the vines is done as naturally as possible: regular ploughing by horse, no addition of chemical fertilizers or weedkillers. The vines are cared for according to the principles of biodynamics: homeopathic treatments based on essential oils, copper and sulfur in minimal doses. The harvest is entirely manual, carried out at full maturity, at the end of October. Red or white, classic Burgundies or more atypical or less "regional" bottles, Frédéric's vintages are rare and coveted wines, which sometimes require waiting.
Es d'aqui Paloma Red 2020,
Notes of strawberry, plenty of acidity, and a delicious flavor. Paloma is a light, thirst-quenching red, claret, almost a rosé. The grapes all come from Adissan, in the Hérault region: Clairette, Colombard on a strip of basalt soil, and Grenache on lacustrine limestone. The harvest macerates whole bunches for two weeks in stainless steel vats. Half of the wine is aged in 500-liter barrels and the other half in resin vats.
To find out more
A child of Ariège, Jean-Louis Pinto chose to stay in the country and make wines that resemble their terroir, hence the name Es d’Aqui (“It’s, it’s from here”) that he gave to his winemaking business, located in Moulin-Neuf, a town near Aude, between Mirepoix and Limoux. A region where vines once abounded, until the major mildew attacks at the beginning of the 20th century. Jean-Louis buys grapes grown organically by other winegrowers, his friends, in whom he has complete confidence. He doesn’t just buy the product, he monitors the fruit set, the ripening, and makes regular visits until August, in order to know the grapes before harvesting them. He vinifies it at home using natural methods, practicing long macerations with whole bunches. A three-week maceration is common for him, as are very gentle pressings in a vertical press. He says he has "a lot of vines in common" with his friend Anthony Tortul (La Sorga). His collection area extends throughout the Languedoc, particularly in the Hérault, around Adissan, Faugères and Saint-Chinian, as well as in the Aude (Limoux) and Tarn (Gaillac), two terroirs that are dear to him. It turns out that the typical Languedoc soils – schist, basalt, pebbles, clay-siliceous – particularly appeal to him for the freshness they give to the wines. "I make wines from the South," he says. I especially look for terroirs that give freshness, even if the wines are 14 degrees. " The grape varieties are, of course, typically Languedoc: Grenache, Carignan, Mauzac, Cinsault, Braucol, Duras and Sauvignon. The most powerful reds are made in five terracotta jars, which help him control the extraction and give his wines, he says, "a very crystalline side." The soil, the place, as we understand it, are of the utmost importance to him: once again, the name of his estate Es d'Aqui was not chosen by chance.
Alberto Lopez Calvo Tinto Cosecha Red 1998
Coruna del Conde
Named after the man who planted the vines in 1970, this great aging cuvée is composed of Tempranillo as the dominant grape variety, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Merlot. The destemmed harvest ferments in vats before aging in barrels for up to four years. After bottling, the wine undergoes a final aging of two to three years. These methods, as well as the exclusive use of grapes without any additives, are those of the estate's founder, and have been perpetuated by his grandson. Vinified using the Bordeaux method but with a distinctly Iberian character, this wine has a silky, velvety texture, a hallmark of perfectly blended tannins. A delicacy with mature fruit notes, a sublime, accomplished wine for life's finest moments. Drink now.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
I'm Natural Don't Panic #7 Red 2018
Bodegas Coruña del Conde
Julien López's I'm Natural, Don't Panic range consists of macerated wines. This 100% Tempranillo red is powerful, dense, and generous, but not lacking in freshness, the result of a high-altitude climate that subjects the vines to significant temperature variations. A lovely bouquet of red and black fruits. Decanting will allow it to express its full opulence. For grilled meats, roast lamb, grilled octopus, stews, cocido.
Ideally a wine to be decanted.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.
Syrah Light Red 2016,
A high-flying Syrah. Produced from clay-limestone plots in the Banyuls region, the Syrah Light cuvée is distinguished, as its name suggests, by its freshness and a lightness worthy of a romance novel. Slightly peppery notes appear on the nose, and aromas of blackcurrant and black berries appear on the palate.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.
L'Harmonie Red 2014
A beautiful blend of southern grape varieties, this Roussillon red is composed of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan from vines growing on clay-siliceous soils. Harmonie is a wine of patience, obtained through long-term maceration and aging, which gives it a dark color, a powerful nose, and intense aromas of black fruits. Decant for a few hours before tasting to fully appreciate its fullness.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
En Rouge et Noir Red 2015
En Rouge et Noir, a red wine from the Faugères AOC, is a blend of black, white, and gray Grenache grapes grown on schist soils in Cabrerolles. The grapes macerate in whole bunches for twenty-nine days in a near-infusion, then are aged in vats on total lees for nine months. Its sweet notes of citrus, rose, and pepper make it the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, charcuterie, or peppery terrines. Its aging potential is ten years.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
Goes with: Charcuterie, Terrines and pâtés, Grilled meats
€20,75
Unit price per€20,75
Unit price perLe Grenache du Bois Saint Jaume Red 2022
Le Grenache du Bois Saint Jaume 2022 from the Fond Cyprès estate is a true ode to the terroir of Languedoc-Roussillon. This 100% Grenache Noir red wine, grown according to organic farming principles (Eurofeuille label), elegantly expresses the richness of its natural environment. Located in the Occitanie region, this vineyard is surrounded by woods on three sides, creating a microclimate conducive to the maturation of the 80-year-old vines that thrive on sandy soils.
Vinification and Aging
The vinification of this natural wine is carried out with a three-week maceration, followed by ten months of aging in vats. No oenological inputs are used and the fermentation relies exclusively on indigenous yeasts, thus guaranteeing a pure and authentic expression of Grenache Noir. Without filtration, this wine retains all its complexity and depth.
Tasting Notes
On tasting, Le Grenache du Bois Saint Jaume reveals an intense nose dominated by aromas of red fruits and typical notes of the garrigue surrounding the vineyard. On the palate, the wine is velvety, with a beautiful length and a silky texture that testifies to the controlled aging. The structure is balanced, offering a freshness that enhances the fruity and spicy flavors of Grenache. This wine has the potential to age beautifully for over ten years.
Food and wine pairings
Ideal with grilled or sauced red meats, this wine also pairs perfectly with Mediterranean dishes. For optimal enjoyment, serve it at a temperature of 14 to 16 degrees after lightly decanting.
Senzaniente Montepulciano Rouge 2021
Azienda Agricola Marina Palusci
Terroir, parcellaire et encépagement
Issu des terres argilo-calcaires de Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, ce 100 % Montepulciano révèle toute la gourmandise et la souplesse de ce grand cépage des Abruzzes. Cultivé sur des coteaux baignés de lumière, il puise dans son terroir une belle matière, entre fruit et finesse, offrant un rouge accessible mais de belle tenue, fidèle à son origine.
Méthodes culturales
Le Senzaniente Montepulciano 2021 est un vin libre, élevé sans aucun intrant ni sulfite ajouté. Le domaine Marina Palusci cultive ses vignes en totale harmonie avec la nature, dans une logique artisanale respectueuse du vivant. Ici, tout est fait à la main, avec patience et exigence. La vinification suit le même esprit : fermentation naturelle, aucune correction, juste le fruit et le temps.
Dégustation & accords
Dès le premier nez, le vin s’ouvre sur une belle intensité de fruits rouges et noirs : cerise juteuse, mûre, quelques notes confites qui évoquent le soleil des Abruzzes. Des touches d’épices douces – poivre noir, cannelle discrète – viennent apporter de la profondeur. En bouche, la texture est souple, légère, avec des tanins fondus et une finale savoureuse, presque caressante. C’est un vin rouge naturel, élégant, tout en équilibre, idéal pour un apéritif, une planche de charcuterie fine, des champignons poêlés ou une viande rôtie. Il s’invite aussi avec plaisir sur une belle cuisine italienne, sans jamais alourdir le plat. À déguster légèrement rafraîchi pour en apprécier toute la fraîcheur fruitée.
Cuvée Mourvèdre Red 2022
Frédéric Cossard's Cuvée M Mourvèdre is an organic and natural red wine made from Mourvèdre from the Mont Ventoux region in the lower Rhône Valley, and vinified in Burgundy. This is an excellent wine for laying down, with presence and personality.
Vinification
One hundred percent organic Mourvèdre from the southern Rhône Valley, harvested by hand, M Mourvèdre is macerated in whole bunches in a prefermentative manner, then fermented for a long time using indigenous yeasts and aged for one year in concrete eggs. No sulfites are added.
Tasting
Nicely structured, M Mourvèdre offers very fresh fruit (blackberry, raspberry) and ripe, fine tannins. Secondary notes of Mediterranean plants. Elegant and dense, yet fluid, this very tasty natural wine will be perfect for all your dinner parties, barbecues, and gourmet celebrations. He likes grilled Red Meats, black truffles, cold meats and cured meats, but you can make a (high-end) all-terrain table wine with it.
Learn more about Frédéric Cossard and the Domaine de Chassorney
Frédéric Cossard and the Domaine de Chassorney gives voice in organic and natural mode to the terroirs and wines of Burgundy and elsewhere, undistorted by agricultural chemistry, according to the style and convictions of this winegrower and merchant. Wherever his grapes come from, his wines bear the Cossard brand, both classic and innovative.
Between viticulture and trade
Frédéric Cossard created the Chassorney estate in 1996: initially a few ares of vines in Saint-Romain, Auxey-Duresses and Savigny-lès-Beaune, and currently ten hectares spread across the Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard, Volnay, Bourgogne-Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune and Bourgogne appellations. In 2006, he created his own trading house and buys organic grapes from the greatest climates of Burgundy, but also from Jura, Languedoc and elsewhere.
A solid commitment to nature
At Frédéric Cossard, the work of the soil and the vines is done naturally: plowing by horse, no chemical fertilizers or weedkillers. The vines are tended biodynamically, the harvest is manual, carried out at full maturity. Frédéric Cossard's vintages are rare and sought-after wines, always highly anticipated but which sometimes require waiting.
Burgundy Bedeau red 2022
Bedeau is an organic and natural red wine from Frédéric Cossard in the AOC/AOP Bourgogne region. While a "generic" red Burgundy, it perfectly evokes the character of its appellation and is suitable for all occasions. This is the red counterpart to the Bigotes cuvée.
Vinification
Bedeau is made from Pinot Noir vines grown on clay-limestone soils, on forty-year-old plots in Volnay and the surrounding area, as well as a plot of fifty-year-old vines in Nuits-Saint-Georges. The harvest is macerated in whole bunches.
Tasting
The nose is fresh, natural, evocative of tangy red fruits (morello cherry, plum, redcurrant). Bedeau is a beautiful, delicious and refined Pinot Noir, bursting with fresh, tangy and satiny fruit with a touch of insolence to enhance the whole. Lively and voluminous on the palate, spicy, with velvety and well-integrated tannins. Pair it with Red Meats, charcuterie, freshwater fish matelotes in red wine or beefstewed in sauce.
Learn more about Frédéric Cossard and the Domaine de Chassorney
Frédéric Cossard and the Domaine de Chassorney gives voice to Burgundy wines (and others) in organic and natural ways, undistorted by agricultural chemicals, according to the style and convictions of this winegrower and merchant. Wherever the grapes come from, his 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.
€55,40
Unit price per€55,40
Unit price perBurgundy Bedeau Qvevris Red 2022
Bedeau Qvevris is an organic and natural red wine from Frédéric Cossard in AOC/AOP Bourgogne, vinified in qvevri (Georgian-style terracotta jars). While a "generic" red Burgundy, it perfectly evokes the character of its appellation and is suitable for all occasions. This is the red counterpart to the Bigotes cuvée.
Vinification
Bedeau comes from Pinot Noir vines grown on clay-limestone soils, on forty-year-old plots in Volnay and the surrounding area, as well as a plot of fifty-year-old vines in Nuits-Saint-Georges. The harvest is macerated in whole bunches and the aging is done in qvevri; the use of terracotta for aging produces a fusion and a particular velvety tannins.
Tasting
The nose is fresh, natural, evocative of tangy red fruits (morello cherry, plum, redcurrant). This Pinot Noir is delicious, velvety and very fine, bursting with fresh fruit, with beautifully melted tannins, the result of aging in qvevri. Lively and voluminous mouth, satiny, spicy. Pair it with Red Meats, charcuterie, game in salmis or prepared with red wine, or beef simmered in sauce.
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 elsewhere), undistorted by agricultural chemicals, according to the style and convictions of this winegrower and merchant. Wherever the grapes come from, his 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.
Les Poupettes Red 2022,
A remarkably bright color and an equally brilliant aromatic palette! Produced in the Vin de France category and under the Écocert organic label, Les Poupettes is an organic and natural red made from 100% Grenache with no added sulfites, sourced from the Grimaud terroir in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. It is the result of a three-week carbonic maceration of the destemmed harvest in a closed stainless steel vat. No sulfites are added, either during vinification or bottling. Les Poupettes offers beautiful aromas of fresh fruit on the nose: raspberry, cherry, but also plenty of minerality due to the schist sands. The finesse of Grenache with a touch of flint that fits well into the overall picture. A round and delicious palate, plenty of freshness and an incredible rich and brilliant grenadine color.
Why “Les Poupettes”?
Under this pretty name, dedicated to the six granddaughters of Jean-Jacques Granger, nicknamed “the poupettes,” here is a magnificent glouglou, a true gift from the schist terroir of Grimaud, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Les Poupettes is a light, pleasant, easy-drinking wine, a cuvée that demonstrates the decision to reduce deliberate extraction as much as possible. You can pair it with a good piece of roast pork, for example a fillet or a rack of Black Pork of Bigorre/Collectif Padouen.
Learn more about Clos des B
Clos des B (initials of the two owners) is an organic and natural wine estate located in Grimaud, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Gwendolyn Berger and Jean-Jacques Branger are the happy producers of the very first natural cuvées from this geographical area. Before the two Bs bought these three hectares of vines, all these wines went to the cooperative cellar of the Vignerons de Saint-Tropez. Driven by a "thirst for vines," as they say, Gwendolyn and Jean-Jacques overcame administrative difficulties, restored the vineyard, and soon produced reds, rosés, and even a blanc de noirs. Their grape varieties are typical of the region: Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, growing on schist sands crisscrossed by quartz veins. The property benefits from a microclimate that protects the vines from humidity, disease, and frost. The viticulture and winemaking approach resolutely embraces organic (the estate is under the Écocert label, applied for in 2020), biodynamics, and natural methods. The wines are made without added sulfites, fining, or filtration. The wines of Clos des B are a true reflection of their terroir and climate: fresh, fruity, and very pleasant to drink, beautiful natural wines from the terroir of Provence.
Marguerite Red 2020
Marguerite is a beautiful bouquet of sweet and spicy spices: cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg. This red wine from the Gaillac region offers plenty of freshness and volume on the palate, expressing the quality of both its terroir and its grape variety. It is made from 100% Duras, a typical Gaillac grape variety, a cross between Savagnin and Tressot. Some of the vines, around thirty years old, grow on the third terrace of the Tarn, therefore on sandy loam soil, and the other part, also thirty years old, grows on clay-gravel soils exposed to the north. The harvest is destemmed and vatted for two weeks without the addition of sulfites in a cement vat. The marc is punched down twice at low temperature. The wine is aged in cement barrels before bottling.
To find out more
The name Gaillac, the region where the Bois-Moisset estate is located, in the hands of 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 luminosity. Many estates, including that of Bois-Moisset, showcase this uniquely rich winemaking 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 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 Gaillacois (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 crisp fruitiness, concentrated but with smooth and delicate tannins.
Volnay Red 2021
This warm and straightforward wine from the Volnay appellation, with notes of red and black fruits, reveals itself on the palate to be balanced and lively, with lovely, gently spicy notes. On the nose, it has already expressed beautiful notes of red fruits (strawberry), spices, and candied fruits. On the palate, it is warm and powerful, with floral aromas and a great minerality on the finish. This Volnay comes from old Pinot Noir vines growing at the bottom of the slopes, on dense, stony soils of ferruginous red clay and limestone. The plots are steep, facing west-southeast and located between 230 and 280 meters above sea level. The vines are worked on horseback, respecting the soil and the earth. The harvest is manual and is carried out when the grapes are fully ripe. The grapes macerate in whole bunches. Aging is approximately one year in barrels.
To find out more
Through his entirely natural work, Frédéric Cossard gives voice to the terroirs and Burgundy wines, undeformed by agricultural chemicals. Having observed, during his years of trading, the existence of harmful wine-growing practices, the winemaker used this counter-example to practice unadulterated viticulture. Thus, he produces vintages of purity and elegance without artifice that are among the most sought-after in Burgundy. Frédéric worked as a wine broker for some time before creating the Domaine de Chassorney with his partner Laure in 1996: initially a few ares of vines in Saint-Romain, Auxey-Duresses and Savigny-lès-Beaune, and currently ten hectares spread across the Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard, Volnay, Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune and Bourgogne appellations. In 2006, he created his own wine trading house and buys organic grapes to vinify, according to his style and convictions, great vintages such as Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Pommard, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée and several Beaujolais crus. The practice is not limited to Burgundy since vintages are made from grapes purchased in the Jura or Languedoc. At his home, the soil and vines are worked as naturally as possible: regular horse-drawn ploughing, no addition of chemical fertilizers or weedkillers. The vines are cared for according to biodynamic principles: homeopathic treatments based on essential oils, copper and sulfur in minimal doses. The harvest is entirely manual, carried out at full maturity, at the end of October. Reds or whites, classic Burgundies or more atypical or less "regional" bottles, Frédéric's vintages are rare and sought-after wines, which sometimes require waiting.
Es d'aqui Cinsauriel Red 2019
With a beautiful, vibrant ruby color, it offers a nose of pepper, rose, and strawberry, as well as notes of garrigue, candied black olive, and prune. Lively and powerful. This 100% Cinsault, grown on the schist soils of Berlou, near Saint-Chinian, is produced by fermentation with indigenous yeasts over twenty-eight days of whole-bunch maceration in sandstone jars, where the wine is also aged.
Find out more
A native of Ariège, Jean-Louis Pinto chose to stay in the region and make wines that reflect their terroir, hence the name Es d’Aqui (“It’s from here”), which he gave to his winemaking business, located in Moulin-Neuf, a commune near the Aude department, between Mirepoix and Limoux. A region where vines once abounded, until the major mildew attacks at the beginning of the 20th century. Jean-Louis buys grapes grown organically by other winegrowers, his friends, whom he trusts completely. He doesn't just buy the product; he monitors the fruit set and ripening, and makes regular visits until August to get to know the grapes before harvesting them. He vinifies them at home using natural methods, practicing long macerations on whole bunches. A three-week maceration is common for him, as are very gentle pressings in a vertical press. He says he has "a lot of vines in common" with his friend Anthony Tortul (La Sorga). His collection area extends throughout the Languedoc, particularly in the Hérault, around Adissan, Faugères and Saint-Chinian, as well as in the Aude (Limoux) and Tarn (Gaillac), two terroirs that are dear to him. It turns out that the typical Languedoc soils – schist, basalt, pebbles, clay-siliceous – particularly appeal to him for the freshness they give to the wines. “I make wines from the South,” he says. “I mainly look for terroirs that give freshness, even if the wines have an alcohol content of 14 degrees.” The grape varieties are, of course, typically Languedoc: Grenache, Carignan, Mauzac, Cinsault, Braucol, Duras and Sauvignon. The most powerful reds are made in five terracotta jars, which help him control extraction and give his wines, he says, "a very crystalline side." The soil, the location, as we understand it, are of the utmost importance to him: once again, the name of his estate Es d'Aqui was not chosen by chance.
I Vicini Grignolino Red 2019
It's in Savoie, in Chevaline, near Lake Annecy, that Jean-Yves Péron skillfully combines committed viticulture and merchant winemaking, both with a focus on nature. His Mondeuse reds are magnificent, as are his whites made from ancient local grape varieties—Jacquère, Altesse, Bergeron, and Persan—no less so. His current vineyard, three hectares biodynamic since the beginning, is divided between Conflans, near Albertville, and Fréterive, a little further downstream in the Isère valley.
Initially destined for a career in biochemistry, Jean-Yves quickly fell in love with the vine and trained as an oenologist in Bordeaux. He learned his trade as a winemaker with Thierry Allemand in Cornas, then with Bruno Schueller in Alsace, before spending some time in New Zealand and the United States. His trading activity, which he began in 2011, allows him to buy the harvest from organic winemakers close to home, but also in Northern Italy: for him, it is a new dimension to his work as a winemaker, allowing him to multiply the terroirs and deepen his experiences in winemaking and aging.
Jean-Yves Péron's winemaking follows the principles of minimal intervention. On narrow and steep surfaces, his mountain vines receive no synthetic products, Jean-Yves preferring horsetail and nettle manure. The surrounding vegetation is very rich: it protects the vines and helps to strengthen them. The soils are grassed, mown and reworked with a pickaxe and winch. The harvest is entirely manual. Once vatted in whole bunches, the grapes, both red and white, undergo a semi-carbonic maceration which allows the extraction of fresh fruit aromas. This maceration time varies between five days and nine weeks depending on the vintage. The day before or two days before pressing, Jean-Yves performs foot-treading directly in the vat. After this fermentation, the musts are sent to barrels for aging on lees for twelve months in five hundred liter barrels of two or three wines (to limit the woody sensation), followed by blending and resting in vats. No sulfites are added, or as little as possible, and the wines are not fined or filtered. Savoyard wine has long suffered from a somewhat flimsy image, not taken seriously enough. Yet, what treasures its varied soils and numerous ancient grape varieties produce! Jean-Yves Péron embodies the renaissance of this beautiful vineyard. Jean-Yves Péron's "I Vicini" series is made from organic grapes harvested in Piedmont. Here, the grape variety is Grignolino, known for producing relatively light-colored and very aromatic wines. The harvest is macerated for fourteen weeks in neutral oak and the wine is aged for one year in barrels. The wine is intense, powerful and structured, with a very pretty nose and a ruby red color.