Tannic

Paoudou Red 2022,

Danis dans la vigne

Paoudou is a 100% Cahors Malbec red wine, organic and natural, produced in Vin de France by Danis Bessières of Danis dans la vigne. It is part of the winemaker's "Esprit du lieu" series of single-plot cuvées.

Vinification

Danis dans la vigne's single-plot cuvées are vinified with a certain neutrality to respect the grape variety (in this case, Malbec), the soil, and the vintage. In this case, the 2022 vintage was hot and the wine comes from the finest plot, a place called Paoudou.

Tasting

Paoudou is a sunny, dense and fruity wine, with substance. It requires decanting to fully express its character. Typically Cahors Malbec: Paoudou is full of presence, energy, with a little austerity. It is a wine for red meats, roasts and stews.

Learn more about Danis dans la vigne

Under the name Danis dans la vigne, Danis Bessières vinifies organic grapes from the family estate, the Domaine de l'Antenet, which was the first organic vineyard in Cahors in the early 1980s.

Organic and natural since 1983

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

Malbec, but not only

Malbec reigns supreme in the Cadurcian region, but Danis also uses Cabernets, Jurançon Noir, Merlot, and recently created grape varieties, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Colombard as single-varietals. These experiments allow him to moderate the density and opacity of the main grape variety.

Magnum Munjebel MC Red 2013,

Frank Cornelissen

The color is superbly intense, a deep, saturated red. Notes of red rose and wild red berries are very pronounced and powerful. A rich texture, body, and depth, with a rich and aromatic palate supported by fresh acidity. This is an already venerable vintage of this pure Nerello Mascalese, which comes from the Contrada Monte Colla (the meaning of the initials MC), a very steep, terraced plot with magnificent sun and wind exposure, directly opposite Mount Etna. The soil is sandy-clay. The vines, planted in 1946, produce a rich, powerful, and elegant wine. It's a bit like the hermitage of Etna. The harvest is destemmed and lightly crushed, then macerated for sixty days. No fining, light filtration before bottling.

To find out more
A key figure in natural wine, a universally respected figure in this category of wines, Frank Cornelissen is a classic. This man of constant questioning lives in human and cosmic resonance with his contrasting terroir: he has demonstrated that the powerful minerality of a great volcanic soil could be highlighted by the naturalness of his wines. The brilliance, the directness and the exquisite fruitiness of his vintages earn him the admiration even of those reluctant to go "natural." They are good introductory wines.
His Sicilian azienda is located in Passopisciaro, in the northern Etna valley. It is, he says, the "Night Coast" of Etna for the great diversity of its wines spread over many locations (contrade) at different altitudes. The climate is continental and harsh, even snowy, in winter, but very warm and sunny from June to September. The altitude gives the wines tension and elegance. The vines coexist with a Mediterranean polyculture: olive trees, almond trees, vegetable gardens... (Frank also produces olive oil). The age of the vines ranges from forty years to over one hundred years. The plots, nineteen in number, on twenty-four hectares in total, are all at altitude, between 600 and 900 meters, on several volcanic flows. They are all vinified separately: Frank decides on the blend based on the quality of the wines from each plot. In general, seven or eight vintages are made in addition to the generic wines (rosé, basic red and white). The soils are made up of different types of basalt, between powder and rock, with perfect drainage that allows for the production of concentrated and fine wines.
Nerello Mascalese dominates the estate's grape varieties. This great traditional red grape variety from the northern valley of Etna is the only grape variety used in the great vintages. Its growing cycle is long, which allows the vine to work the soil and capture its minerality in the fruit. Other grape varieties include: Nerello Capuccio, Minella Bianco, Minella Nera, Alicante Bouschet, Malvasia, Cattaratto, Moscadella, Grecanico Dorato, Carricante…

Magnum Saint Romain sous le Chateau Clos du Cerisier White 2020,

Domaine de Chassorney

Full of fresh fruit and fragrant white flowers (gardenia, jasmine, etc.), elegant and dense… Mineral, fresh, powerful, and long-aging, this wine has it all. This pure Chardonnay comes from a steep plot located between 280 and 400 meters above sea level. The soils are mainly marl, limestone, and clay. After direct pressing, it is aged for about a year in barrels. The magnum format allows the wine to jostle and mature beautifully.

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.

Amagalmay Red 2021

Domaine Athenais

Terroir, plot size and grape varieties

From the vibrant soils of Burgundy, Domaine Athénaïs' "Amagalmay" 2021 is a cuvée as original as it is expressive, born from the unique union of two grape varieties: Gamay, the emblematic red wine of indulgence, and Aligoté, usually white, here vinified to enrich the whole with a beautiful freshness. Classified as a Vin de France, this free and creative wine plays with conventions to offer a spontaneous and sincere interpretation of the Burgundian terroir. The result is a wine of pleasure, at once fruity, slightly tannic, and delightfully approachable.

Cultivation methods

Domaine Athénaïs is guided by a philosophy of craftsmanship and respect for all living things. Certified organic, the vineyard is cultivated with care, using a gentle and natural approach. The soils are plowed with care, treatments are limited to products of natural origin, and each vine is nurtured throughout its growth cycle without ever being forced. In the cellar, vinification in stainless steel tanks enhances the freshness and crispness of the fruit, without artifice, to deliver a pure, joyful, and authentic wine.

Tasting & pairings

"Amagalmay" 2021 charms from the first sip with its pure aromas of juicy cherry and vibrant raspberry, enhanced by a delicate touch of sweet spice. On the palate, the texture is supple, the tannins well-integrated, with a lovely vivacity that prolongs the pleasure. This is a wine for friends, for impromptu aperitifs, for casual dinners. It pairs wonderfully with everyday dishes: savory tarts, composed salads, homemade gratins, rustic pizza, or even a roast chicken with herbs. Slightly chilled, it becomes even more digestible and easy-drinking.

Delicious, natural, and convivial, "Amagalmay" is an invitation to joyful simplicity, the kind that comes from good times shared around an unpretentious yet charming bottle. A vintage that proudly upholds the values of a living, organic, and Burgundian wine.

Ultreia Red 2021

Justine Vigne

Terroir, plot size and grape varieties

In the heart of the Rhône Valley, in an area untouched by conventional classifications, Justine Vigne is forging her own path. Labeled "Vin de France," but bearing a strong identity, Ultreia Rouge 2021 tells the story of a terroir shaped by sun, stone, and the spirit of the land. The grapes come from carefully selected plots, where Grenache and Cinsault, both derived from biodynamically cultivated Syrah vines, find their natural balance. This unique blend gives Ultreia its distinctive character, a harmonious blend of generous fruit and vibrant energy.

Cultivation methods

Justine Vigne cultivates much more than just vines: she embodies a philosophy. Every action in the vineyard is deliberate, respectful, and in harmony with the lunar cycles and the energies of life. Organic certification (AB) is just the starting point: her plots thrive biodynamically, without synthetic products, using homemade compost and plant infusions. This artisanal, patient, and sincere approach is reflected in every drop of wine, like a subtle echo of the slow pace of pilgrims.

Tasting & pairings

Ultreia Rouge 2021 opens like a whispered promise: a deep, almost velvety red robe already hints at the generosity of the fruit. The nose is a stroll through the hills: ripe red fruits, blackcurrant, black fig, enhanced by notes of garrigue, sweet spices, and a touch of toasted almond. A saline minerality aerates the whole, like a breath on the skin.

On the palate, the magic happens. The tannins are fine, silky, almost caressing. The wine glides smoothly, juicy, easy to drink, carried by a mouthwatering freshness that invites a second glass. Here, you find all of Justine's sincerity, her desire to let the land speak for itself, without artifice.

Ultreia is a wine for sharing, for a table set under the stars, for laughter around grilled meats, plates of charcuterie, for moments where life is enjoyed without haste.

"Ultreia," the pilgrims used to say: beyond, ever further. This wine is an encouragement to continue, to marvel, to celebrate what unites us. A handcrafted, poetic, and joyfully human vintage.

Cerro las Monjas 1368 Red 2005,

Barranco Oscuro

Blend of Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Grenache from high-altitude vines (1,368 m).
Extremely fresh wine, rich aromas, notes of Morello cherries and cherries.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Pinot Noir Red 2023

Ambre dissous Red 2020

The Alonso Tribe

Terroir, plot size and grape varieties

Born in the vibrant Beaujolais region, La Tribu Alonso's 2020 Ambre Dissous is a distinctive red wine, a wine of character that breaks with established norms. While Gamay takes center stage, it is an uncommon Gamay, made from teinturier grapes – a rarity in the region. This bold choice results in a captivatingly deep color, almost cloudy like the ink of mystery, and already hints at a singular expression of the terroir.

The vineyard stretches across granite soils typical of Beaujolais, in an area where the influences of the nearby Rhône are felt, bringing darker, spicier notes and a welcome tension. It is a land of contrasts, between the freshness of the north and the generosity of the south, which La Tribu Alonso has managed to tame with rare sensitivity.

Cultivation methods

The Alonso Tribe is, above all, a philosophy. It's a return to the essentials, a work in symbiosis with nature, far removed from artifice. The vines are cultivated without chemical inputs, respecting living organisms, lunar cycles, and the energies of the land. Here, each bunch is hand-picked, in an almost ritualistic gesture, then vinified with minimal intervention. Fermentation occurs naturally, with indigenous yeasts taking the reins to best express the identity of the grape and its terroir.

This artisanal approach yields a free, vibrant, unadorned wine, where the grape variety can sing without a false note. Ambre Dissous is a reflection of nature embraced, sometimes wild, but always sincere.

Tasting & pairings

By the glass, Ambre Dissous 2020 immediately captivates with its deep, almost violet color, hinting at a wine with a strong character. The nose is a poem of spices: freshly ground black pepper, clove, with a delicate note of violet as a subtle reminder of Rhône influences. On the palate, the structure is assertive, the tannins present yet elegantly polished, offering a mouthfeel that is both firm and silky.

This wine is not meant to flatter; it challenges, questions, and invites contemplation. It can be enjoyed as an aperitif, to awaken the taste buds, or at the table, alongside a generous dish: a matured rib of beef, a lamb tagine with prunes, or even a wild mushroom risotto.

Ambre Dissous is a wine for sharing, but also for meditation. A bottle that tells a story, that of a marginalized grape variety, a reinvented terroir, and a tribe that, far from the beaten track, forges its own path with heart and conviction.

Munjebel MC Red 2021,

Frank Cornelissen

The essence of Nerello Mascalese and the volcanic terroir
The Munjebel MC 2021, by Frank Cornelissen, embodies the authenticity of Etna's basalt soils. This 100% Nerello Mascalese, grown organically and vinified with a natural approach, is a tribute to the old vines rooted in this unique terroir. With a one-month maceration and a one-year aging in vats, this cuvée expresses the power and finesse of a wine deeply rooted in its environment.

A powerful and spicy red
This 2021 vintage offers a bright and clear ruby ​​color. On the nose, intense aromas of spices, ripe red fruits and a typical volcanic minerality harmoniously intertwine. On the palate, the wine reveals a silky structure and well-integrated tannins, supported by a balancing freshness and remarkable depth. The long and persistent finish is marked by spicy notes and a saline touch, signature of the Etna terroirs. This wine is best served between 14 and 16°C, after decanting, to release its full aromatic potential.

A companion for characterful dishes
The Munjebel MC 2021 is ideal for accompanying robust dishes such as grilled red meats, stews or even Mediterranean preparations rich in flavor. Its power and finesse also make it a wise choice for gourmet dinners where it will enhance bold pairings.

With an aging potential of several years, this wine represents a masterful interpretation of Nerello Mascalese, combining elegance and character. A must-have cuvée for lovers of natural and volcanic wines.

Magma Red 2021,

Frank Cornelissen

The ultimate expression of Etna

The Magma 2021, by Frank Cornelissen, is an exceptional wine, born from the old, ungrafted vines of the Barbabecchi vineyard, perched at an altitude of 950 meters on the north-northeast slopes of Etna. This pure Nerello Mascalese, cultivated organically and with absolute respect for the terroir, is produced only in years when perfect phenolic maturity is reached. With this vintage, Cornelissen offers a rich, elegant and characterful "Grand Vin", a unique reflection of the basalt soils and the cool morning exposure.

A captivating tasting

Behind its deep ruby color, the Magma 2021 displays a complex and captivating nose, blending intense spices, notes of black cherry and vibrant minerality. On the palate, it reveals impressive depth, with a velvety texture, fine tannins and a remarkable freshness that perfectly balances its power. The finish is strikingly long, marked by spicy aromas and a saline imprint, the inimitable signature of the volcanic terroirs of Etna. Serve between 14 and 16°C, after careful decanting to express all its aromatic richness.

A wine for special occasions

The Magma 2021 is an ideal companion for elaborate Mediterranean dishes, such as herb-roasted lamb, stews or fragrant grilled vegetables. Its structure and finesse also make it a partner of choice for red meats and bold gastronomic creations.

With exceptional aging potential, this wine transcends the boundaries of the Etna DOP appellation to establish itself as an icon of Nerello Mascalese and a true ode to the genius of Frank Cornelissen.

Munjebel CR Red 2021,

Frank Cornelissen

A jewel of Etna from Campo Re
The Munjebel CR 2021, pure Nerello Mascalese, is an exceptional cuvée that expresses all the uniqueness of the Campo Re vineyard. Located at the entrance to Randazzo, at an altitude of 735 meters, this partially ungrafted plot is one of the most westerly in the Etna Valley. The deep volcanic soils, demanding in wet vintages, give rise to a complex, structured wine full of character.

A refined and authentic tasting
This 2021 vintage has a dark and vibrant ruby ​​color. The nose reveals delicate aromas of fresh strawberry, enhanced by spicy nuances and a minerality typical of basalt soils. On the palate, Munjebel CR offers an imposing structure with powerful yet harmonious tannins. The natural freshness of Nerello Mascalese perfectly balances this depth, leading to a long and persistent finish marked by fruity and mineral notes. Serve between 14 and 16°C, after decanting to reveal its full breadth.

A wine for fine dining
This red from Etna pairs perfectly with grilled or sauced red meats, stews, or even hearty Mediterranean recipes. Its power and finesse make it ideal for gourmet meals, where it will brilliantly accompany dishes with character.

With extended aging potential, Munjebel CR 2021 is a majestic expression of Nerello Mascalese, combining depth, freshness, and complexity. An essential vintage for lovers of great volcanic reds.

Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru "Monts Luisants" Red 2022,

Frédéric Cossard 2022
From the Monts Luisants plot, this organic and natural red premier cru is a rarity. Vinified by Frédéric Cossard, it is a beautiful Burgundy wine in the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation, in the Côte de Nuits.

Vinification
The small clay-limestone Monts Luisants plot is located above the village of Morey-Saint-Denis. The Pinot Noir planted here is of the Pinot Fin variety, a very old and increasingly rare strain. The vines are around seventy years old. The vines are cultivated without pesticides and the wine is made without any additives or added sulfites, with whole bunch maceration.

Tasting
A dense, powerful, complex and elegant wine, a Burgundian gem like Frédéric Cossard knows how to make. This Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru "Monts Luisants" is overflowing with aromas of fresh fruit, substance and depth, with notes of red fruits and violets. This bewitching wine promises to improve for a long time, ten years and more. If you don't taste it beforehand, enjoy it with charcuterie, cured meats, roasted or grilled meats. A beautiful piece of wagyu from Spain or Japan selected by Aitana, that sounds tempting! Or a good fatty steak from Mézenc, not bad either with this great Burgundy.

Learn more about Frédéric Cossard
Frédéric Cossard gives the floor in organic and natural mode to the wines of Burgundy (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 trading
Frédéric Cossard created the Chassorney estate in 1996: initially a few ares of vines in Saint-Romain, Auxey-Duresses and Savigny-lès-Beaune, then ten hectares spread across the Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard, Volnay, Bourgogne-Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune and Bourgogne appellations. Since the recent sale of this estate, Frédéric continues to manage his trading house, created in 2006 in his own name. He vinifies grapes from the greatest climates of Burgundy, but also from the 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 coveted, wines that are always highly anticipated but which sometimes require waiting.

In Absentia Red 2018

La Senda

Entirely produced in the north of El Bierzo from trousseau (locally called bastarda) on various quartz-clay-limestone plots at an altitude of 550 meters. The vines are seventy to ninety years old. Maceration lasts three to four days in chestnut vats, followed by nine months of aging in French oak barrels. No filtration, no added sulfites. Dark garnet color, smoky and fruity nose (trousseau-style: black cherry and raspberry), with a characteristic hint of bitter cocoa and peony. The mouthfeel is full and velvety, the flavor is fruity and smoky, both crisp and mineral. The delicious finish calls for another sip... Serve with roasted game birds, rare pigeon, roast venison, coq au vin, or chicken mole poblano. In a carafe, it will fully express its charms.

Munjebel CD Red 2020

Cornelissen
Munjebel CD is a single-plot red cuvée, certified organic (Eurofeuille) and biodynamic. Made from 100% Nerello Mascalese, it is produced by Frank Cornelissen in the DOP (AOP) Etna Rosso/IGP Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese. It comes from a single plot in the Calderara Sottana contrada, at an altitude of 610 m, facing north. This high-quality contrada is appreciated in cold and difficult vintages: its gravelly soil absorbs heat and re-radiates it during the coldest hours of the night.

Vinification
100% Nerello Mascalese, Munjebel CD comes from 40-year-old vines cultivated biodynamically. The grapes are destemmed and lightly crushed. Fermentation starts from a vat foot and is accompanied by a 50-day skin maceration. Aged for 18 months in epoxy vats, then 18 months in bottles. No fining, light filtration.

Tasting
This highly regarded contrada produces quite feminine wines, combining elegance and depth, especially in the best years. You can pair them with red meats, charcuterie, and great Italian, Iberian, or Gascon hams. For example, ham from black pork from Bigorre or a cecina (beef ham) from maison Aitana.

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…

Magnum Que Pasa Red 2012, Domaine Leonine

Seventy-year-old Grenache noir and gris combine to create this highly drinkable red. The harvest spends fifteen days in carbonic maceration before spending five months in barrels before being bottled by gravity without added sulfur. Juicy, sappy, and delicious, it smells and tastes of the garrigue and the Mediterranean, enhanced by flawless freshness. So what's going on? Only very pleasant things.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Magnum Munjebel Red 2014

Frank Cornelissen

Frank Cornelissen's Munjebel 2014 is a pure and intense immersion in the volcanic terroir of Etna. Made exclusively from Nerello Mascalese, this red wine aptly expresses the identity of northern Sicily. It comes from several exceptional plots, notably those used for the estate's vintages, such as Zottorinoto-Chiusa Spagnolo, Feudo di Mezzo-Porcaria, and Pontale Palino, as well as from vines specifically dedicated to this cuvée (Rampante Sottana, Piano Daini, and Crasà).

In the glass, its translucent ruby ​​color evokes the refinement and finesse of a great Pinot Noir, while preserving the energy and intensity characteristic of Etna wines. The nose is a true olfactory journey, revealing aromas of wild red fruits, black cherry, and raspberry, accompanied by subtle spicy and mineral notes, indicative of the basaltic influence of the soil. On the palate, it is both structured and vibrant: its tannins are present yet silky, and the ripeness of the fruit is balanced with a beautiful acidity. A slight salty touch prolongs the finish and recalls the volcanic origins of the terroir.

A natural wine with no added sulfites, the Munjebel 2014 reflects Frank Cornelissen's non-interventionist philosophy. This rich and expressive wine is ideal for aging (5 to 10 years), but is already splendid today after aeration in a carafe. Served between 16 and 18°C, it will pair wonderfully with grilled meats, Mediterranean dishes, or a porcini mushroom risotto.

Magnum Munjebel CS Red 2015

Frank Cornelissen

This pure Nerello Mascalese comes from an ungrafted vine in the Zottorinoto contrada, growing on the Chiusa Spagnola plot, surrounded by lava rocks, somewhat hidden in an amphitheater-like landscape and at an altitude of 620 meters. This plot was planted in 1925 and produces a deep, tannic wine, somewhat reminiscent of Nebbiolo, with a slightly less intense color than the estate's other reds.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Rubaiyat Red 2009

Barranco Oscuro

This wine is produced from Syrah vines planted at an altitude of approximately 1,290 meters, facing south on schist and clay soils. The destemmed harvest macerates in stainless steel vats, and is aged for sixteen months in old barrels. The Syrah, originally from Persia, inspired the name of the vintage: Rubaiyat is the title of a lyrical cycle by the Persian poet Omar Khayyam (11th century), a man of great wisdom, mathematician, astronomer... He wrote in particular about the joys that wine brings, among other pleasures of life.
Natural wine without added sulfites.

Ceci n'est pas un vin White 2023

La Tribu Alonso

Ceci n'est pas un vin is still a wine, white, dry, organic, and natural, with no added sulfites. Made in Beaujolais by Cyril of La Tribu Alonso, it is classified as a Vin de France. It is 100% Chardonnay, but there are twenty-eight different varieties in the bottle. Just as the red wine Ambre dissolve is inspired by Salvador Dalí, this one obviously alludes to Henri Magritte (see the label).

Vinification

The collection of twenty-eight Chardonnays from the ampelothèque, from which Ceci n’est pas un vin is made, is planted on a half-hectare plot on granite, with wild grass, agroforestry and no tillage. The vines, pruned in the goblet style, are between four and thirty years old. There are Chardonnays here of all tastes and colors (white, pink, muscaté, etc.), and it seems that the multiplicity of grape varieties gives a whole new face to this Chardonnay, unfortunately a little overused in the world of viticulture. "We are moving away from the boring Chardonnay," says Cyril. The manual harvest goes into direct pressing and, after a 48-hour settling process, only sees from the vat to its bottling. Alcoholic fermentation without starter culture using indigenous yeasts, malolactic fermentation also in fiberglass vats. Zero chemical inputs, in the vineyard and in the cellar, and zero added sulfites.

Tasting

Surprisingly, Ceci n’est pas un vin: the opposite of classic Chardonnay, it has great qualities of resistance. Solid, fine and balanced. A dry white wine with no added sulfites that has a very long shelf life once opened, it is rare and unique. It can last, recorked, for a whole week. On the nose and palate, it is a marvel of perfume and aroma, as if it offered the quintessence of Chardonnay through all its varieties. Salty, iodized, aromatic and floral, it evokes peach or apricot blossom, white peach, and its acidity-alcohol balance will allow it to be kept between 5 and 7 years. It can be drunk whenever you want, with oysters, shellfish, raw or smoked fish, tapas, fine starters and any elegant and refined cuisine.

Learn more about the Alonso Tribe

This tribal name refers to Cyril Alonso, winemaker, his wife, naturopath, and their family. They take care, using organic farming methods, of a conservatory of traditional grape varieties from the Rhône-Alpes region located in Marchampt (Rhône), in the heart of the Beaujolais Vert region. This two-and-a-half-hectare ampel library, which has existed since 1952, contained forty grape varieties. It currently contains one hundred and forty. This unique location gives the Tribu Alonso wines their particular style. Instead of being single-varietal microcuvées, they are quite the opposite: wines by grape variety family, either a Chardonnay containing all the Chardonnays of the house or a multi-Gamay Gamay.

A biotope classified in 2008

The estate enjoys a unique ecological location: the house and the vineyard are surrounded by untouched forests, on the steep terrain of northern Beaujolais. Three rivers cross it, and the vines, close to the bedrock, capture all the minerality of the soil. Organic farming is practiced and the work, both in the vineyard and in the cellar, is entirely manual, without the use of any chemical additives or sulfites in the winemaking process.

The wines

Cuvées of co-plantation (and for good reason), the wines of the Tribu Alonso embrace all the complexity of their grape varieties and the viticultural history of Beaujolais. These are carefully crafted wines, made with great care, fermented and aged to the sound of Tibetan bowls, whose alpha waves are beneficial to the liquids. The vatting periods are short, to preserve the freshness and fruit, as well as the signature of the soil and grape varieties.

Cahors Red 2018

Danis dans la vigne

A Cahors, quite simply: this 100% Malbec red wine, organic and natural, is produced by Danis Bessières and Domaine de l’Antenet in the Cahors AOC. It is, strictly speaking, Danis’s father’s Cahors, from a vintage that has already matured.

Vinification

The Malbec vines grow at Domaine de l’Antenet, in the Cahors region. The harvest is cultivated and vinified without additives or sulfites. "If I have the joy today of letting you taste these vintages from the past, it is thanks to the perseverance, talent and flair of my father. He knew very well how to give time the care to preserve the beautiful years, confident that he was in the capacity of well-made wine to travel the ages."

Tasting

Despite its six years of age, this Cahors from the Domaine de l'Antenet/Danis dans la vigne remains very marked by cherry, with body and noble aromas of an evolved wine that are beginning to manifest themselves: leather, undergrowth, hay, truffle, tobacco... Everything we love in Cahors. Powerful, full-bodied, but drinkable and very supple for the appellation.

Learn more about Danis dans la vigne

Under the name Danis dans la vigne, Danis Bessières vinifies organic grapes from the family estate, Domaine de l'Antenet, which was the first organic vineyard in Cahors in the early 1980s.

Organic and natural since 1983

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

Malbec, but not only

Malbec reigns supreme in the Cadurcian region, but Danis also uses Cabernets, Jurançon Noir, Merlot, and recently created grape varieties, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Colombard as single-varietals. These experiments allow him to moderate the density and opacity of the main grape variety.