Still Wines

Riesling Origin Blanc 2022,

Jean-Marc Dreyer
Jean-Marc Dreyer's Riesling Origin is an organic (AB label), biodynamic, and natural dry white wine from Alsace, macerated (orange wine), with no added sulfites. Jean-Marc Dreyer's Origin range consists of single-varietal cuvées made from six Alsatian grape varieties (Sylvaner, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Muscat), macerated on the skins with a touch of controlled oxidation. Discovering each Origin is always a revelation.

Vinification
Riesling, the king of Alsace's white grape varieties, forms the basis of this organic and natural wine. Its liveliness, distinction, deep sapidity, and characteristic mineral notes are evident in this hand-harvested wine macerated for seven days in whole bunches. After pressing and fermentation, the wine is aged for ten to eleven months in the Alsatian style, in foudres and demi-muids, without topping up. Biodynamic method, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, unfiltered, unclarified, no sulfites added in the vineyard or cellar.

Tasting
Balanced acidity, elegance, complexity, fruitiness, power, plenty of structure and depth: Jean-Marc Dreyer's Riesling Origin is what we call a wine of meditation. Whole-bunch maceration exposes Riesling in a completely new light: the petrol notes recede into the background, waiting until the finish to emerge, and the wine expresses a structured verticality balanced by a gentle roundness. Pineapple and grapefruit on a very mineral background, but it's the soil you sense, not the diesel can. Taste pairings? Don't bother looking; it goes with everything. Try grilled fish, matelotes, seafood and shellfish, roasted or stewed white meats, pata negra ham, aged cheeses.

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 biodynamic farming. In 2009, upon returning from a pilgrimage to Compostela, he decided to never again add sulfur to any wine. Having made this decision, he affirmed his style around skin maceration, accentuated and chiseled, bringing out the soul of Alsatian grape varieties. Jean-Marc also works with direct pressing and often with single varietals. He also produces Pinot Noir reds of surprising depth.

Maceration and direct pressing
Jean-Marc Dreyer's wines are characterized by whole-bunch maceration (but you should also taste 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 marc to the press." Gentle oxidation is also a particular characteristic 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.

Tri-Aux White 2022,

Jean-Marc Dreyer

Tri-Aux is an organic, biodynamic, and natural dry white wine from Alsace (AB label) produced by Jean-Marc Dreyer without added sulfites. Its name is a play on words based on its composition: three successive vintages of the Auxerrois grape variety.

Vinification

Auxerrois or Pinot Auxerrois is a typically Alsatian white grape variety. For all three vintages, the harvest is vinified using direct pressing, fermented, and then aged in barrels for one to three years. The resulting wines are blended to create this cuvée. Biodynamic viticulture method, fermentation by indigenous yeasts, unfiltered, unclarified, no sulfites added in the vineyard or in the cellar.

Tasting

Tri-Aux is a lovely, seductive and fresh wine, aromatic and floral, delicious and dry at the same time. It offers spicy notes (cinnamon, dried fruits), a round and complex, saline body, and a finish of white fruits. Lots of energy and character. For all occasions, from the most relaxed to the most distinguished. Offer it roasted white meats, pata negra ham and other high-end cured meats. It will also be very comfortable with shellfish and oysters.

Learn more about Jean-Marc Dreyer

Jean-Marc Dreyer, biodynamic and natural Alsace winemaker (AB organic certification label), succeeds several generations of his family at the Dreyer & Fils, 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-to-skin maceration, accentuated and chiseled, bringing out the soul of the Alsatian grape varieties. Jean-Marc also works with 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 taste 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 marc 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.

Fontana Blanc 2022,

La Vinicola di Antonio Gismondi
Fontana is a rare, organic, biodynamic, and natural white wine made by Antonio Gismondi in his Benevento terroir (Campania, Southern Italy). Classified as Vino da Tavola (the equivalent of our Vin de France), it is made entirely from the local falanghina grape variety. It is, in short, a falanghina beneventano, or a falanghina wine from Benevento. Falanghina is a very old variety that, in ancient times, formed the basis of the famous Falerna cru (falernum).

In the vineyard and in the cellar
The thirty-year-old falanghina vines grow on stony (limestone) and clayey soil at an altitude of around 350 meters, facing southwest. The harvest is directly pressed and all vinification is done in stainless steel vats. No sulfites are added, no filtration.

Tasting
On the nose, white flowers, exotic fruits, Mediterranean plants, garrigue, maquis: Fontana is a fragrant, sapid and generous white wine. The retro-olfaction is very fruity. Opulent and powerful, round, slightly acidic, very aromatic: the quintessence of Campania white wines, through the talent of Antonio Gismondi. With a very smooth and opulent finish, Fontana offers good aging qualities. It can be drunk now, but it will also age well. Pair it with fish, seafood, and oysters. It will also pair well with Asian and lightly spiced dishes, as well as canned fish, as well as sardines in oil and smoked fish. In fact, anything goes when it comes to pairings.

Learn more about La Vinicola di Antonio Gismondi
Antonio and Anabel Gismondi's winery is located in Campania, in Cerreto Sanita, in the Benevento region. A microclimate cools the land in this area: humid winds from the Tyrrhenian Sea collide with the first ramparts of the Apennine mountain range, causing condensation in the air. Add to this a thermal inversion phenomenon between day and night, and the freshness of the Antonio Gismondi wines is easily explained.

A family estate
For generations, the Gismondi family has cultivated vines here and made wine using the most traditional and natural methods, to which are added those of biodynamics. For a long time, of the fifteen tons of grapes produced each year, one ton was reserved for on-site winemaking for family consumption, the rest going to the local wine cooperative. It was the meeting with Massimo Marchiori and Antonella de Partida Creus that decided Antonio and his wife Anabel to start producing natural wines on site for the entire harvest.

Clay, pebbles and local grape varieties
The vineyard, two hectares, is located between 350 and 380 meters above sea level, on clay, loam and pebbly soils, with two-thirds facing due south, planted with vines around six years old. The rest faces southwest and corresponds to the Pietre and Cerreto cuvées, with vines thirty years old. The grape varieties are Merlot, Freisa and Sangiovese for the reds, and Falanghina and Malvasia di Candia for the whites.

Cailloux Rouge 2022

Patrick Bouju
Cailloux is an organic and natural red wine from Patrick Bouju, with no added sulfites and sourced from the Auvergne terroir. Classified as a Vin de France, it is a wine extremely representative of its terroir and a fine example of the winemaker's refined expertise. The magnum format amplifies its natural character and further accentuates its depth.

Vinification
Cailloux comes from Patrick Bouju's old Pinot Noir vines located in Madargue, near Riom, in Limagne. The terroir is basaltic, clay-limestone, marl-limestone, and sandy. The grapes macerate in whole bunches, and during fermentation, 1% of the estate's Chardonnay press juice is added. The wine is aged for a year in sandstone amphorae and barrels.

Tasting
Cailloux lives up to its name: wild, smoky, long, and stony, with great aromatic persistence. Marked by intensely mineral notes: stone, metal. The fruit is present and juicy. The overall impression is dense and concentrated; the wine can be drunk now but will still have a few years to drink. Serving temperature: 14-16 °C. Open twenty minutes before tasting or decant. You can pair it with charcuterie, salted meats, beef and all kinds of local cuisine.

Learn more about Patrick Bouju and the La Bohème estate
Near Billom, the Auvergne Tuscany, once covered with vines, is the privileged domain of Gamay d'Auvergne, a strain old grape variety. It is there, on these volcanic soils, that Patrick Bouju works, mainly with old vines.

Viticulture and trade
Patrick breathes new life into the often abandoned terroirs of Puy-de-Dôme and its indigenous grape varieties. Under the La Bohème estate, he operates as a wine merchant using purchased organic grapes. His exclusive Culinaries partnerships are famous: with Action Bronson for the series A la Natural, with Jason Ligas in Greece for Sous le Végétal…

A winemaker who lends a helping hand
The current renaissance of the Auvergne vineyard (which was once the third largest in France) owes a lot to Patrick. The fact that he likes to lend a hand to his winemaker friends in France and elsewhere only confirms his image as a role model, a leader. Its noble, chiseled, distinguished, never trivial wines are immediately recognizable in the glass.

Morey Saint Denis les Champs de la Vigne Rouge 2017

Frédéric Cossard
This magnificent organic and natural magnum red Burgundy wine is produced by Frédéric Cossard. Made entirely from Pinot Noir (a Pinot Fin variety), it is produced in the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation and comes from the "Les Champs de la Vigne" vineyard.

Vinification
The vines grow on a clay-limestone plot and are around sixty years old. They are made from Pinot Fin grapes, an ancient strain of Pinot Noir that is increasingly rare in Burgundy. The harvest macerates in whole bunches and the wine is aged in barrels for at least a year.

Tasting
Typical of the Morey-Saint-Denis climate, this Champs de la Vigne is a powerful and complex wine, offering notes of violet and red fruits. It offers opulent fruit and remarkable minerality. Great elegance and finesse, silky and satiny with a lovely earthy and mineral nuance. The magnum format accentuates its velvety texture and depth. It will be a pleasure to pair it with duck breast, grilled meats, beef, charcuterie and cured meats.

Learn more about Frédéric Cossard and the Chassorney estate
Frédéric Cossard and the Chassorney estate give the floor in organic and natural fashion 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 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, 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.

Zapoï Rouge 2020

Les En Hauts
Rather gurgling but with substance, silky and velvety, dry and tangy, this delicious and indulgent wine offers a rather animal nose with notes of hay. On the palate, cherry, a lovely length, and a nice acidity. Zapoï, a cuvée from the Les En-Hauts project, is the result of the joint effort of winemakers Damien Coquelet and Frédéric Cossard. It comes from fifty-year-old Gamay vines growing in Beaujolais. It is the result of whole-bunch semicarbonic maceration, and is aged for ten months in concrete eggs.

The word "Zapoï" makes you think of Groland, obviously, but do you know the origin of the term? Zapoï is a Russian practice consisting of a binge lasting several days, the result of prolonged alcohol consumption. A proper zapoï should lead to a blackout (you don't remember anything), and regular awakenings where you get drunk again to avoid a hangover. In some cases, you wake up far from home in the snow. This scourge on life expectancy, fortunately, has only a very distant logical connection with the wine we are concerned with here. Let's just say that, presumably, the sound of the name appealed to the two winemakers.

Find out more
Les En-Hauts is not strictly speaking a wine estate but a project of vintages produced in partnership between Damien Coquelet and Frédéric Cossard. These two great figures of Burgundy viticulture—yes, Beaujolais is in Burgundy—had every reason to join forces to create colorful and flavorful vintages together.

Frédéric Cossard is a biodynamic and natural star of Burgundy winemaking, who gives voice to Burgundy's terroirs and wines, undeformed by agricultural chemicals. His vintages are pure and elegant without artifice and are among the most sought-after in Burgundy. His practice is not limited to Burgundy, as some vintages are made from grapes purchased in other regions. His 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.

Damien Coquelet, for his part, is the worthy successor of the great organic winegrowers to whom we owe the advent of nature in the Beaujolais region: he is the son-in-law of Georges Descombes and Jean Foillard was his mentor, continuators of the pioneering work of Jules Chauvet and Marcel Lapierre. Owning nine hectares in Morgon on granite-sandy soils, he cultivates two and a half hectares plus a few leased vines: in all, four hectares on the legendary Côte du Py. A specialist in Morgons that Morgonnent and Chiroubles that Chiroublent, he embodies the true nature of Beaujolais.

Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Abbaye de Morgeot Blanc 2020

Frédéric Cossard
The nose of this magnificent Chassagne-Montrachet "Abbaye de Morgeot" premier cru opens beautifully with citrus notes and a complex bouquet. The palate, well-rounded, ample, and balanced, offers a profusion of white fruits, white flowers, and honey, with a siliceous touch that is representative of the exceptional minerality of the plot. The taste sensation is fresh and mineral, full-bodied, rich, and nuanced. This premier cru cuvée, entirely organic and natural, comes from the Abbaye de Morgeot plot, located at the foot of the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation, with high-quality clay-limestone soils. The clay present in this terroir gives richness, the limestone freshness. It is an anthology of Burgundy white wines.

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 for some time as a wine broker before creating the Chassorney estate 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 trading house and bought 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, as vintages are made from grapes purchased in the Jura, Languedoc, and elsewhere. At his farm, the soil and vines are worked as naturally as possible: regular horse-drawn ploughing, no addition of chemical fertilizers or weedkillers. The vines are tended 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. Red or white, classic Burgundies or more atypical or less "regional" bottles, Frédéric's vintages are rare and sought-after wines, which sometimes require waiting.

Magnum Alburostre White 2022

De Vini

Alburostre is an organic, biodynamic, and natural white wine made by Christophe Bosque (De Vini) in the Nantes region from the Folle-Blanche grape variety. It comes from vines growing in Gorges (Loire-Atlantique), on the winemaker's estate, on gabbro soils. Classified as a Vin de France. Folle-Blanche or Gros-Plant is a typical grape variety of the Nantes region, where it has been known since the 16th century and thrives on gabbro soils. Very suitable for distillation, it is also a grape variety used in Armagnac and Cognac. It typically produces low-alcohol, pale-colored wines: Alburostre is all of these things.

Vinification

The organic folle-blanches harvested for Alburostre are pressed directly, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and then the wine is aged for nine months on lees in stoneware jars. No fining, sulfiting, or filtration.

Tasting

Alburostre means "white-beak" in old French. Aside from the paleness of its color—typical of folle-blanche—there is nothing inexperienced about it. It is a very beautiful, easy-drinking white wine (10 degrees alcohol), supple, pleasant, chiseled, and pure. A beautiful yeasty fermentation note rises above its simple description to envelop the palate and further accentuate the wine's length. Very gourmet: reserve it for the finest smoked salmon, seafood, and even caviar. The winemaker recommends salmon tartare with coriander, pollack steak with beurre blanc, or steamed barnacles.

Learn more about Christophe Bosque and De Vini

De Vini, along with the Vinilibre winery, is the multifaceted business of Christophe Bosque, originally from Saint-Nazaire. He has always been passionate about wine. We are particularly interested in his local creations, produced from his vineyard of some two hectares and fermented in buried vats in the Nantes style - a true reinvention of Muscadet (outside the appellation) in natural mode.

Gabbro Fondu

After spending years as a merchant, importer, then wine merchant, this former cameraman with a BTS in oenology-viticulture acquired a few plots (two hectares) of Melon de Bourgogne vines in Gorges, in Loire-Atlantique, near Clisson in 2017. The soils there are made up of gabbro on a granite substrate, a pedological configuration specific to the Nantes region and particularly to Clisson. Christophe is full of praise for this type of soil.

Muscadet for the better

Christophe's vintages may come from grapes purchased from the best French terroirs, particularly in Languedoc, but the winemaker retains a special affection for his vines, which he maintains with passion and attention to the terroir. A touch of humor and a sense of pun can be seen on his labels and in his appellations, but in the bottle, they are serious, off-the-beaten-track wines, just the way he likes them.

Munjebel VA White 2020 Magnum

Frank Cornelissen
This magnum size of Frank Cornelissen's classic dry white wine, Munjebel VA, is classified under the DOP Sicilia and IGP Terre Siciliane Bianco appellations. Organic (Eurofeuille), biodynamic, and natural, this is a very special white wine, produced from ungrafted vines from the estate's highest plots: Tartaraci (1,000 m above sea level) and Zacchino Pietre (920 m). This is the upper limit of the Etna vineyard.

Vinification
Munjebel VA white is a blend of Grecanico Dorato (60%), Coda di Volpe (30%), and Carricante (10%). After harvesting, destemming, and light crushing, the grapes macerate for 4 days on the skins and ferment with indigenous yeasts. Aging is 18 months in fiberglass vats and 18 months in bottles. No fining, light filtration.

Tasting
This white wine from Frank Cornelissen combines all the characteristics of great wines: depth, density, high acidity, minerality, and texture. A supremely elegant white wine, to be paired with the finest seafood. We offer you from the outset a sauté of abalone from France Haliotis with parsley or smoked scallops from Maison Mathieu or from Saumon de France.

Learn more about Frank Cornelissen
A key and universally respected figure in natural, organic and biodynamic wine, the Belgian Frank Cornelissen, 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 "Côte de Nuits 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…

Munjebel VA Red 2020 Magnum

Frank 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 vines, ungrafted, 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 falling into facile taste. 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. The magnum format further accentuates its characteristics and makes it more polished and rounder. 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…

Munjebel PA Red 2020 Magnum

Frank Cornelissen
Munjebel PA, a single-vineyard organic (Eurofeuille), biodynamic, and natural cuvée from Frank Cornelissen, is a Sicilian red wine in the DOP Etna Rosso/IGP Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese. It comes from the Feudo di Mezzo contrada, in the Porcaria area, at an altitude of 640 meters. Maturation is not facilitated by the depth of the soil in the case of a wet vintage, but what a reward upon tasting! The elegance and roundness of this wine are further accentuated by the magnum format.

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

Tasting
Munjebel PA is an accomplished wine, which seems to offer everything one asks of a red. It is powerful, refined, elegant and gives its best in balanced vintages like this 2020. Pair it with charcuterie and cured meats from porc noir de Bigorre or terrines from Fermiers du Bord de Sèvre.

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…

Munjebel MC Red 2020 Magnum

Frank Cornelissen
Munjebel MC, an organic (Eurofeuille), biodynamic, and natural red wine from Sicily, is produced by Frank Cornelissen. It is classified DOP (AOP) Etna Rosso/IGP Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese. It comes from the Contrada Monte Colla, a very steep terraced plot, beautifully exposed to the sun and wind, directly opposite Mount Etna. The Nerello Mascalese vines, planted in 1946, grow on sandy clay soil. The magnum format accentuates the power and richness of this wine.

Vinification
The harvest is destemmed and lightly crushed, then macerated for sixty days on the skins. The wine is aged for 18 months in vats and 18 months in bottles. No fining, light filtration.

Tasting
Rich and powerful, all in elegance, Munjebel MC is a bit like the hermitage of Etna. Intense color of a deep and saturated red, notes of red rose and wild red fruits. Body, richness and thickness, aromatic palate supported by a fresh acidity. You will pair it with red meats and Mediterranean dishes. Try aBlack Ham of Bigorre or a grilled or roasted Wagyu from Maison Aitana.

Learn more about Frank Cornelissen
A key and universally respected figure in natural, organic, and biodynamic wine, Belgian Frank Cornelissen, a winemaker captivated 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…

Munjebel FM Rouge 2020 Magnum

Frank Cornelissen
Munjebel FM, one of Frank Cornelissen's single-plot cuvées, is an organic (Eurofeuille), biodynamic, and natural red wine with DOP Etna Rosso and IGP Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese appellations. It comes from the vast contrada Feudo di Mezzo, specifically its upper part, known as Sottana. Its soil is deep, and the wines it produces are of an uncommon elegance typical of this region. The site is well-ventilated, but ideal ripeness is difficult to achieve in wet vintages. The magnum format amplifies the character of this wine and accentuates its roundness.

Vinification
The Nerello Mascalese harvest is destemmed, lightly crushed, and then macerated for 50 days on the skins. Fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged for 18 months in fiberglass vats and 18 months in bottles. It is not clarified but lightly filtered.

Tasting
An almost Burgundian elegance and roundness characterize this wine, even in warm vintages. A special vintage of great finesse, which adapts to the most varied dishes. Try it with all the cuisines of the South: Italian, Greek, Provençal… We would recommend a delicious cassoulet from Sillon to accompany it. Or simply a good black pig ham from Bigorre.

Learn more about Frank Cornelissen
A key and universally respected figure in natural, organic, and biodynamic wine, Belgian Frank Cornelissen, a winemaker captivated 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 enhanced 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 plots (contrade) between 600 and 900 meters above sea level on the side of the volcano. It is, says Frank Cornelissen, the "Côte de Nuits 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…

Munjebel CS Red 2020 Magnum

Frank Cornelissen
Munjebel CS is a natural single-plot red cuvée made from 100% Nerello Mascalese, biodynamic and organic (Eurofeuille label). It is produced by Frank Cornelissen in the DOP (AOP) Etna Rosso/IGP Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese. The grapes come from the Zottorinoto contrada and the Chiusa Spagnolo plot, towards the bottom of the valley, in a lava rock amphitheater at a relatively low altitude (620 m). This is a unique, ungrafted vineyard planted around 1925. The magnum format gives even more depth and dimension to this wine.

Vinification
The Munjebel CS harvest is destemmed and lightly crushed. Fermentation, using a vat base and indigenous yeasts, is accompanied by a 50-day skin maceration. No fining, light filtration before bottling.

Tasting
The Chiusa Spagnolo plot produces a deep and tannic wine, a little behind the other crus of the contrada and reminiscent of the varietal typicity of Nebbiolo. The color is slightly less intense than that of the other reds of the estate and the wine is a little slower to express itself. You will pair it with meats, charcuterie and Mediterranean dishes. Also try it with a roast pigeon from Bresse (Pierre-Eudes Quintart https://culinaries.fr/boutique/produits-de-noel/chapons-et-volailles-produits-de-noel/pigeonneau-2/) or Brittany (Volailles Renault https://culinaries.fr/producteurs/volailles-renault/).

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…

Munjebel CR Red 2020 Magnum

Frank Cornelissen
Munjebel CR is a single-plot red cuvée, certified organic (Eurofeuille), biodynamic, and natural. It is made from pure Nerello Mascalese grapes by Frank Cornelissen in the DOP (AOP) Etna Rosso/IGP Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese. Munjebel CR comes from the Campo Re plot, which is partially ungrafted and approximately 70 years old, located in the far west of the valley at an altitude of 735 meters. The soil is deep, and ripeness is difficult to achieve in wet years. This gives a particular character to the wines from this plot, closer to Nebbiolo (a typical Tuscan grape variety) than the other reds from Azienda Frank Cornelissen. The magnum format, by allowing this wine to blossom, helps it express itself.

Vinification
Grown biodynamically, the Nerello Mascalese grapes of Munjebel CR are destemmed and lightly crushed. Starting from a vat, fermentation on indigenous yeasts is accompanied by a 50-day skin maceration. No fining, light filtration before bottling.

Tasting
Munjebel CR is a deep, elegant and tannic wine. It may take a while to express itself. With its great freshness, it needs to accompany meats with character. A rack of black pork from Bigorre, or a rib of Wagyu or Angus beef, that's the perfect pairing.

Learn more about Frank Cornelissen
A key and universally respected figure in natural, organic and biodynamic wine, 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 "Côte de Nuits 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 valley of Etna 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...

Magma Rouge 2020 Magnum

Frank Cornelissen
Magma is Frank Cornelissen's classic red grand cru. Produced organically (Eurofeuille label) and biodynamically, and classified as DOP (AOP) Sicilia-IGP Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese, it is a wine for ageing, produced only in great vintages, when phenolic maturity has been reached. It comes from old, ungrafted Nerello Mascalese vines, planted in 1910 on the Barbabecchi contrada, at an altitude of 910 m, renowned for capturing the first rays of the sun in the cool of the morning. The magnum format enhances its depth and gives it even more breadth.

Vinification
This natural, organic, and biodynamic wine is obtained by sixty days of skin maceration of destemmed and lightly crushed grapes. No fining, no addition of sulfites. Light filtration before bottling.

Tasting
Magma restores the remarkable depth of Nerello Mascalese. Rich and elegant, with a dense texture, it has character, personality, and great finesse. More mineral than fruity, it offers notes of secondary fruits (blackberry, prune) and melted tannins. This great wine requires great dishes: we recommend stewed beef or coq au vin. So think about a can of Isabelle Leydier Delavallade or Fermiers du Bord de Sèvre.

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…

Munjebel PA Red 2020

Cornelissen
Munjebel PA, a single-vineyard organic (Eurofeuille), biodynamic, and natural cuvée from Frank Cornelissen, is a Sicilian red wine in the DOP Etna Rosso/IGP Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese. It comes from the Feudo di Mezzo contrada, in the Porcaria area, at an altitude of 640 meters. Maturation is not facilitated by the depth of the soil in the case of a wet vintage, but what a reward upon tasting!

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

Tasting
Munjebel PA is an accomplished wine, which seems to offer everything one asks of a red. It is powerful, refined, elegant and gives its best in balanced vintages like this 2020. Pair it with charcuterie and cured meats from porc noir de Bigorre or terrines from Fermiers du Bord de Sèvre.

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…

Munjebel CS Red 2020

Cornelissen
Munjebel CS is a natural single-plot red cuvée made from 100% Nerello Mascalese, biodynamic and organic (Eurofeuille label). It is produced by Frank Cornelissen in the DOP (AOP) Etna Rosso/IGP Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese. The grapes come from the Zottorinoto contrada and the Chiusa Spagnolo plot, towards the bottom of the valley, in a lava rock amphitheater at a relatively low altitude (620 m). This is a unique, ungrafted vineyard, planted around 1925.

Vinification
The Munjebel CS harvest is destemmed and lightly crushed. Fermentation, using a vat base and indigenous yeasts, is accompanied by a 50-day skin maceration. No fining, light filtration before bottling.

Tasting
The Chiusa Spagnolo plot produces a deep and tannic wine, a little behind the other crus of the contrada and reminiscent of the varietal typicity of Nebbiolo. The color is slightly less intense than that of the other reds of the estate and the wine is a little slower to express itself. You will pair it with meats, charcuterie and Mediterranean dishes. Also try it with a roast pigeon from Bresse (Pierre-Eudes Quintart) or from Brittany (Volailles Renault).

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…

Vin de France Syrah Red 2022,

Domaine des Miquettes

This pure Syrah red wine from the Rhône Valley, organic and natural (Ecocert certified), is classified as a Vin de France. It asserts itself with a noble simplicity, typical of the wines of Domaine des Miquettes, produced on schist and granite soils. Its full name is: Biou une canou que té fara dé bé (“drink a cannon that will do you good”).

Vinification

Made from vines planted in Ardèche, on plots with light soils of black mica granite, schist and gneiss on a granite base, this natural Syrah ferments on the skins in terracotta containers and is aged for six months.

Tasting

Less dense and less full-bodied than the Saint-Joseph from Domaine des Miquettes, this This organic and natural Syrah is loaded with black fruits, blackcurrant, red fruits (wild strawberry), notes of tobacco and leather. The red fruits noticeable on the nose give way to a velvety, peppery and raspberry palate. Pair it with stews, red meats and game. It is also made for black truffle and we imagine it perfectly with a cassoulet.

Learn more about Domaine des Miquettes

Domaine des Miquettes, in the Saint-Joseph appellation (Ardèche), is run by Paul Estève and Chrystelle Vareille, who are passionate about Georgian winemaking techniques. At the heart of this centuries-old viticulture is the kvevri, the buried jar where the entire winemaking process takes place. They also have unburied tinajas (Spanish jars) for fermentation and maceration, the kvevris being used for aging. No sulfites are added to the wines of Domaine des Miquettes. The astringency of the tannins is polished by the terracotta, which produces a velvety texture, a fruity and supple substance.

The Estate

Paul Estève learned his trade with René-Jean Dard and François Ribo, two great figures of natural wine in the Rhône Valley. With Chrystelle, he gradually rebuilt the family estate until it reached 4.3 hectares. The plots, located between 300 and 450 meters above sea level, rest on a granite base with light mica and gneiss soils. The agriculture is organic (Ecocert certified) and biodynamic. The soils are worked by horse or winch and pickaxe, and the harvest is manual. No chemical inputs are added to the vineyard work or winemaking.

Ichigo Ichie Red 2022,

Domaine des Miquettes

Ichigo Ichie is an organic and natural red-rosé wine (a "blouge" we would say) from the Rhône Valley (Ardèche, Saint-Joseph terroir) certified organic by Écocert. It is produced by Paul Estève and Chrystelle Vareille of Domaine des Miquettes, and the name of the cuvée pays tribute to one of their Japanese collaborators who recently passed away. The expression ichigo ichie means "a unique moment in life."

Vinification

Made without additives or added sulfites, unfiltered, Ichigo Ichie is a blend of all the grape varieties grown on the estate: Gamay, Marsanne, Roussanne, Syrah and Viognier, on granite and loess soils. This organic and natural wine from the Rhône Valley is aged for one year in vats.

Tasting

Ichigo Ichie can be consumed as a light red or a full-bodied rosé; its exotic notes are very seductive. It is recommended to drink it chilled. This additive-free wine will accompany all products from the land and the sea. Other "blouges", if you appreciate this type of rosé which leans towards red (or the other way around), can be discovered on our site: Susucaru Rosato from Frank Cornelissen, a classic from Etna, or L’Arroseur by Vinilibre.

Learn more about Domaine des Miquettes

Domaine des Miquettes, in the Saint-Joseph appellation (Ardèche), is run by Paul Estève and Chrystelle Vareille, who are passionate about Georgian winemaking techniques. At the heart of this centuries-old viticulture is the kvevri, the buried jar where the entire winemaking process takes place. They also have unburied tinajas (Spanish jars) for fermentation and maceration, while kvevris are used for aging. No sulfites are added to the wines of Domaine des Miquettes. The astringency of the tannins is polished by the terracotta, which produces a velvety texture, a fruity and supple substance.

The Estate

Paul Estève learned his trade from René-Jean Dard and François Ribo, two great figures of natural wine in the Rhône Valley. With Chrystelle, he gradually rebuilt the family estate until it reached 4.3 hectares. The plots, located between 300 and 450 meters above sea level, rest on a granite base with light mica and gneiss soils. The agriculture is organic (Ecocert certification) and biodynamic. The soils are worked by horse or winch and pickaxe, and the harvest is manual. No chemical inputs are added to the vineyard work and winemaking.