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1140 products
Magnum Alburostre White 2022
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.
Sloe Liqueur 2017,
Here's an organic and natural sloe liqueur from the Cazottes distillery, direct from Gaillac (Tarn). The fruit is small but powerful and intense in flavor, and protected by thorns, so it's well worth it. Handcrafted, without pesticides, colorings, or other additives, this traditional liqueur is 18% ABV.
Production
The wild sloes are picked by Laurent Cazottes from the hedges of his garden at the end of December, when the first frosts have concentrated their flavor. They are hand-crushed, then gently macerated for fourteen months in the estate's slightly sweetened organic wine brandy. After pressing and distillation, the marc is reintroduced into the brandy to obtain color, vitality and length.
Tasting
A bittersweet symphony, a magical liqueur with a slightly tiled ruby color, lively and luminous. The nose is all about stewed red fruits, and on the palate, a round and tasty fruitiness is asserted, structured by a rich and melted substance. Pairs with just about anything, sweet or savory: charcuterie, cured meats, cheeses, pastries.
Learn more about the Cazottes distillery
Laurent Cazottes, winemaker, distiller and natural liqueur maker, is a revealer of quintessences. In Villeneuve-sur-Vère, near Gaillac (Tarn), he cultivates a veritable Eden of biodiversity. On limestone soil, he cares for fruit trees, vines, shrubs, and vegetable plants, which he transforms into wines, eaux-de-vie, and liqueurs.
Production secrets
First of all, the integrity of the fruit and the vine, cultivated in certified organic (Eurofeuille and Nature & Progrès labels) and biodynamically, then careful care given to their maceration at perfect maturity in the estate's organic eau-de-vie, and finally a precise and light dosage of sugar.
The Cazottes touch
"Liqueur does not mean sweet," Laurent likes to say. The particularity of Cazottes liqueurs and eaux-de-vie is their fidelity to the raw material: it is the whole fruit that we have in our mouths, with all its nuances and its deliciousness. They are low in alcohol and low in sugar: they are exceptional nectars.
Mauzac Rose Eau-de-vie ("drop") 2016,
This organic and natural Mauzac Rose Eau-de-vie ("drop") from the Gaillac region bears the Nature & Progrès and Eurofeuille labels. Mauzac rose is a traditional grape variety from the Gaillac vineyard that forms the basis of this organic, chemical-free spirit, produced by Laurent Cazottes and with an alcohol content of 45%.
Production
To obtain this drop of Mauzac rose, the fully ripe organic grapes are raisined (dried), destemmed by hand, then pressed and subjected to natural fermentation, without the addition of sulfites, which the Cazottes distillery leaves unfinished in order to retain residual sugar. They are then slowly distilled to preserve the fruity concentration in the mouth.
Tasting
Crystalline, luminous color; delicate and supple mouthfeel. Elegant aromatic profile, retaining all the natural taste of organic Mauzac rose: notes of pear, apricot, grapefruit, apple and sage. As fruity as it is floral, this drop of pink Mauzac from the Cazottes distillery excels in baking: try it to replace the rum in a baba. It can also be enjoyed on any occasion, for example with artisanal terrines, fine pastries or even caviar.
Learn more about the Cazottes distillery
Laurent Cazottes, winemaker, distiller and natural liqueur maker, is a revealer of quintessences. In Villeneuve-sur-Vère, near Gaillac (Tarn), he cultivates a veritable Eden of biodiversity. On limestone soil, he cares for fruit trees, vines, shrubs, and vegetable plants, which he transforms into wines, eaux-de-vie, and liqueurs.
Production secrets
First of all, the integrity of the fruit and the vine, cultivated in certified organic (Eurofeuille and Nature & Progrès labels) and biodynamically, then careful care given to their maceration at perfect maturity in the estate's organic eau-de-vie, and finally a precise and light dosage of sugar.
The Cazottes touch
"Liqueur does not mean sweet," Laurent likes to say. The particularity of Cazottes liqueurs and eaux-de-vie is their fidelity to the raw material: it is the whole fruit that we have in our mouths, with all its nuances and its deliciousness. They are low in alcohol and low in sugar: they are exceptional nectars.
Vin de France Viognier White 2022,
This Viognier from Domaine des Miquettes is a beautiful single-varietal cuvée from the Rhône Valley, classified as a Vin de France and awarded the Écocert organic label.
Vinification
Viognier, as its name suggests, is made entirely from the noble Viognier grape variety from the Rhône Valley, its region of origin, where it gives its best. The grapes grew on gneiss, granite, and loess soils. The aromatic richness of this Viognier from Domaine des Miquettes is enhanced by the terracotta vinification process, consisting of a ten-day maceration followed by pressing and aging for eight months in kvevri (a Georgian-style buried terracotta jar).
Tasting
This is a distinguished, fresh, pleasant, and easy-drinking Rhône Viognier. It exudes rare citrus fruits, including bergamot, and is very light on the palate. Its floral, fruity, and mineral notes are very opulent within a magnificent, fresh framework. This superb success from Domaine des Miquettes is one of those providential whites that goes with everything. However, we recommend smoked salmon https://culinaries.fr/producteurs/lionel-durot/ or any other smoked seafood, and of course fresh oysters.
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.
Vin de France Syrah Red 2022,
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,
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.
Une Autre Histoire Du Vin - Book
Tout Le Monde Sait Déguster - Book
Le Vin Nature Au-Delà Des Modes - Book
VY Ancestral Sparkling White 2015
Partida Creus
Finely sparkling, lively and fresh, creamy and full-bodied on the palate, this is a superb natural sparkling wine made from Vinyater (a traditional Catalan grape variety) that should be enjoyed, especially now that this magnum has aged a little and gained depth, having had time to develop the full richness of its fresh notes – white flowers, almonds, white fruits – and its magnificent length. This festive vintage, classified as a Vino de Mesa (table wine), will shine as an aperitif, for any celebration, and at the table with seafood, grilled white meats, sweetbreads, or a beautiful vol-au-vent financier. The vinyater harvest is manual; alcoholic fermentation takes place on the skins and with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel vats. The wine completes its fermentation for ten months in bottles on fine lees.
Find out more
Partida Creus is an important estate, both from a winemaking and historical perspective – we are talking here about the history of the vine in Catalonia. Massimo Marchiori and Antonella Gerosa, originally from Piedmont – and even from the Langhe region, where wine is well-known – first pursued careers as architects in Barcelona. But the wine bug bit them, and they soon abandoned the big city and its sophistication for the vineyards of southern Catalonia, in Bonastre in Baix-Penedés. There they find a quantity of abandoned vineyards planted with a dizzying diversity of traditional Catalan grape varieties that they passionately revive to save these varieties – and their wines – from oblivion. For them, it is not just a matter of heritage rescue, no: it is a matter of taste and nature. Of natural wines, which they will never stop making from now on on these sandy, poor, clay-limestone or clay-gravel soils, poor and poorly irrigated, where the vines suffer to give their best juice. Massimo and Antonella practice organic, biodynamic viticulture, entirely manual and natural in order to give new life to these wines. Vinyater, sumoll, garrut, monastrell, ull de perdiu, ull de llebre, sumoll, queixal de llop, cariñena, trepat, subirat parent, maccabeu, parellada, pansé, vinel·lo, bobal, cartoixà vermell or xarel·lo: Partida Creus is a veritable conservatory of native Catalan grape varieties. It also grows moscatel, grenache, merlot and cabernet (among others). Few wineries can boast growing so many different grape varieties. The wines reflect this diversity, with the winemakers striving to best convey the signature of the soil and the grape variety: single-variety wines are common among them, alongside extensive blends, all in the styles dear to Catalonia: still wine, "ancestral" sparkling wine, and even vermouth. The bottles themselves are works of art: bare glass, simply marked with two large stenciled initials that denote the vintage. The wines, fresh, vibrant, lush but always straightforward and impeccably juicy and fruity, breathe life. The arrival of a Partida Creus at the table always elicits cries of satisfaction.
Magnum XL Ancestral Sparkling White 2015
Partida Creus
This beautiful magnum elegantly bears its eight years of age: that's called age, and the notes of evolution that can be discerned add to its charm. These few years further strengthen its character while polishing the edges. Xarel·lo Ancestral, a smoky, deep, full-bodied, mineral, and explosive sparkling wine, is a true invitation to celebrate. The nose offers aromas of ripe white fruits—apple, pear, white peach—followed by mineral notes on the palate that form a framework for yeasty touches reminiscent of buttery pastries and fresh bread. Beautiful, straightforward, saline acidity. Very elegant, XL Xarel·lo Ancestral is a Vino de Mesa (table wine) that is highly drinkable and enjoyable. Made entirely from the native Catalan grape variety Xarel·lo, it is the result of hand-picking and direct pressing. The must is fermented in stainless steel vats using indigenous yeasts and finishes fermenting in bottles on fine lees for a minimum of ten months, without the slightest addition of sulfites.
Find out more
Partida Creus is an important estate, both in terms of winemaking and history – we are talking here about the history of the vine in Catalonia. Massimo Marchiori and Antonella Gerosa, originally from Piedmont – and even from the Langhe region, where wine is well-known – first pursued careers as architects in Barcelona. But the wine bug bit them, and soon they abandoned the big city and its sophistication for the vineyards of southern Catalonia, in Bonastre in Baix-Penedés. There they find a quantity of abandoned vineyards planted with a dizzying diversity of traditional Catalan grape varieties that they passionately revive to save these varieties – and their wines – from oblivion. For them, it is not just a matter of heritage rescue, no: it is a matter of taste and nature. Of natural wines, which they will never stop making from now on on these sandy, poor, clay-limestone or clay-gravel soils, poor and poorly irrigated, where the vines suffer to give their best juice. Massimo and Antonella practice organic, biodynamic viticulture, entirely manual and natural in order to give new life to these wines. Vinyater, sumoll, garrut, monastrell, ull de perdiu, ull de llebre, sumoll, queixal de llop, cariñena, trepat, subirat parent, maccabeu, parellada, pansé, vinel·lo, bobal, cartoixà vermell or xarel·lo: Partida Creus is a veritable conservatory of native Catalan grape varieties. It also grows moscatel, grenache, merlot and cabernet (among others). Few wineries can boast growing so many different grape varieties. The wines reflect this diversity, with the winemakers striving to best convey the signature of the soil and the grape variety: single-variety wines are common among them, alongside extensive blends, all in the styles dear to Catalonia: still wine, "ancestral" sparkling wine, and even vermouth. The bottles themselves are works of art: bare glass, simply marked with two large stenciled initials that denote the vintage. The wines, fresh, vibrant, lush but always straightforward and impeccably juicy and fruity, breathe life. The arrival of a Partida Creus at the table always elicits cries of satisfaction."
Skin-Contact Rafling White 2021
Classified as a Vin de France, Skin Contact Rafling is a wine resulting from a fairly extensive skin maceration: hence the presence of "Skin Contact" on the label. "Rafling" is a play on words relating to the maceration on stems (whole bunches) and the name of the Riesling grape variety. It is a dense and robust wine that is both round and straightforward, elegant and full of personality. Our national Frédéric Cossard, as comfortable with Burgundian-style winemaking (but without additives) as with the multi-colored refinements of merchant winemaking, offers us here a Riesling from twenty-five-year-old biodynamic vines harvested in Alsace on clay-limestone soil. Maceration is three weeks in whole bunches. Don't worry too much about food and wine pairings, this one is made for all occasions and can even compete with dishes that we usually think are reserved for red wine. Its aging potential—at least ten years—is generous.
To find out more
Through his entirely natural work, Frédéric Cossard gives voice to the terroirs and Burgundy wines, undistorted 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 which are among the most sought-after in Burgundy. Frédéric worked for a time as a wine broker 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 merchant house and purchased 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 vintages. 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 plowing 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 sought-after wines, which sometimes require waiting.
BS Blanc de Sumoll White 2017
Partida Creus
Finely macerated, with a superb golden hue vering with orange, BS Blanc de Sumoll is made for the table and refined dishes. Vibrant and aromatic, it offers notes of citrus (grapefruit, orange, lemon), rose, peach, apple, quince, garrigue (thyme, rosemary), and quince, with a rather saline finish. It is also mineral with notes of honey, leather, and stone. This still, sunny Blanc de Noirs, made from 100% white Sumoll (a grape variety that has become extremely rare in Catalonia) and produced directly from the press, is a historic cuvée, the first produced by Massimo and Antonella. This is a very rare wine that should not be missed when a few bottles appear.
Find out more
Partida Creus is an important estate, both from a winemaking and historical perspective – we are talking here about the history of the vine in Catalonia. Massimo Marchiori and Antonella Gerosa, originally from Piedmont – and even from the Langhe region, where wine is well-known – first pursued careers as architects in Barcelona. But the wine bug bit them, and soon they abandoned the big city and its sophistication for the vineyards of southern Catalonia, in Bonastre in Baix-Penedés. There they found a quantity of abandoned vineyards planted with a dizzying diversity of traditional Catalan grape varieties that they passionately revived to save these varieties – and their wines – from oblivion. On their part, it’s not just a matter of saving heritage, no: it’s a matter of taste and nature. Natural wines, which they will continue to make from now on on these sandy, poor, clay-limestone or clay-gravelly, poor and poorly irrigated lands, where the vines suffer to give their best juice. Massimo and Antonella practice organic, biodynamic, entirely manual and natural viticulture in order to give new life to these wines. Vinyater, sumoll, garrut, monastrell, ull de perdiu, ull de llebre, sumoll, queixal de llop, cariñena, trepat, ceciat parent, maccabeu, parellada, pansé, vinel·lo, bobal, cartoixà vermell or xarel·lo: it is a true conservatory of the native Catalan grape varieties that Partida Creus cares for. Moscatel, Grenache, Merlot, and Cabernet (among others) are also grown here. Few wineries can boast growing so many different grape varieties. The wines reflect this diversity, with winemakers striving to best convey the signature of the soil and the grape variety: single-varietal wines are common among them, alongside extensive blends, all in the styles dear to Catalonia: still wine, "ancestral" sparkling wine, and even vermouth. The bottles themselves are works of art: bare glass, simply marked with two large stenciled initials that denote the cuvée. The wines, fresh, vibrant, lush but always straightforward and impeccably juicy and fruity, breathe life. The arrival of a Partida Creus at the table always elicits cries of satisfaction.
Rubaiyat Red 2009
Elegantly aged in magnum format for over thirteen years, this is a classic from the Barranco Oscuro estate. It offers a full-bodied, tannic, and dry profile, rich in mature notes of black and red fruits (blackcurrant, raspberry). Leather and earth also dominate, accentuated and enhanced by aging. Smooth, roasted, and nuanced notes of chocolate and spices, and superb balance. Rubaiyat is an allusion and homage to the Persian poet Omar Khayyam, a polymath who wrote a poetic cycle entitled Rubaiyat in the 11th century, glorifying mystical and physical intoxication. The Persian origin of the Syrah grape variety, from which this wine is entirely composed, was not for nothing in this choice of name. Rubaiyat comes from Syrah vines planted in 1996 at an altitude of approximately 1,290 meters and facing south on schist and clay soils. The harvest, manual, carefully sorted and destemmed, macerates in stainless steel vats and ferments with indigenous yeasts. The vinification is naturally controlled by the coolness of autumn nights in the mountains. Malolactic fermentation followed by aging takes place for sixteen months in old barrels. No sulfites are added, the wine is unclarified, and lightly filtered at bottling.
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Between the Sierra Nevada and the sea, in Andalusia, the Sierra Contraviesa boasts the highest vineyard in Europe (1,368 meters) at its summit. Barranco oscuro means "dark valley" in Spanish, but this valley is part of the past; it was the original site of the property, but it was moved at the end of the 19th century, when phylloxera put an end to a period of intense winemaking and mass production. In 1979, the estate was taken over by Manuel Valenzuela, who decided to work it using natural methods and without resorting to modern oenology methods. Initially, he bought grapes, but his goal was to replant vines, which he did between 1982 and the mid-1990s. Currently, the twelve hectares of Cortijo Barranco Oscuro extend over a drop of almost 1,400 meters. On a poor, dry, schistose terroir, two localities concentrate the plots: Cerro Las Monjas at the very top and Hoyo y Cerro de Las Gayumbas lower down, near the winery buildings. Strong thermal contrasts explain the freshness of the wines, produced without the addition of exogenous yeasts and without any inputs in the vineyard or cellar. Although the estate is not certified organic due to the disillusionment Manuel suffered from fraud in this area, his estate is a member of the Spanish Association of Natural Wine Producers. His wines are straightforward and clean, without compromise: they are wines that give joy through the seriousness of the work that went into their production.
Rum Prélude Batch 10, 49.8° - 70cl
Prélude Batch 10 is a single-variety rum made from 100% red sugar cane. It is the result of a skillful blend of several vintages selected by the cellar master before aging in French oak barrels. It combines the aromatic palettes of different rums to create an unparalleled harmony. It is left at its original strength, without coloring or filtration: its alcohol content can therefore vary slightly depending on the edition. On the palate, a hint of caramel combines with the aromatic richness of the cane juice. Rich and fiery, but not lacking in freshness, this Prélude Batch 10 rum is designed for both initiation and connoisseur pleasure.
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The Longueteau distillery, located in Capesterre-Belle-Eau (Guadeloupe), is the oldest distillery on the island still in operation. It has the distinction of being entirely self-sufficient in sugar cane production, which it uses to obtain its magnificent terroir agricultural rums. Agricultural rum, we should point out, is made from pure sugar cane juice, unlike many other Caribbean rums, which are produced from cane molasses. It is a specialty of the French West Indies. The estate is currently in the hands of François Longueteau, a distiller since 1979. Production is, as it was originally, artisanal and traditional, but the sugarcane terroirs are developed using plot-by-plot methods—this is Longueteau's unique feature, the first distillery on the island to adopt this approach. Two varieties of sugarcane, blue cane and red cane, are cultivated, as well as fruits from the Guadeloupe region. Longueteau rums and the resulting preparations (punches, shrubberies, etc.) are fine, aromatic, deep, and fragrant.
Vin de France Cuvée Madloba White 2020
Madloba blanc is an orange wine that asserts itself from the first intensely floral nose, full of character and depth. The floral nature is confirmed on the palate with an abundance of tea rose, accompanied by a surprising, exotic expression of lychee and mango. With a rather rich and dense body, the freshness acts as a balance, and lovely bitter touches mark the finish. This white Madloba ("thank you" in Georgian) is produced in the Saint-Joseph AOP. It is a blend of 50% Marsanne and 50% Viognier. The vines, almost forty years old, are planted at an altitude of 350 meters, on a hillside plot with granite and black mica soils. The two grape varieties are fermented together for six months in tinajas, unburied terracotta jars, and after pressing the wine returns to the tinaja for six months of aging. This aging method promotes the wine's texture and develops the fruit. Decant one hour before serving. Perfect for oriental, Asian, and exotic cuisines in general.
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Paul Estève and Chrystelle Vareille are the creators of the Domaine des Miquettes, whose great specificity is the use of Georgian techniques. They are passionate about this Caucasian country, the cradle of wine, where eight thousand year old winemaking techniques are still used. At the heart of this viticulture is the qvevri, the buried jar where all the winemaking takes place: fermentation with skin maceration and aging. They set out to explore this country and returned with the decision to age all their wines in buried jars. They have twenty-six, but distinguish between tinajas (Spanish jars) for fermentation-maceration and buried "amphorae" for aging. No sulfur is added. For both reds and whites, the terracotta erases astringency and transmutes it into a velvety texture, a fruity and supple material.
The estate, located in Ardèche, is south of the Saint-Joseph appellation. Paul trained with René-Jean Dard and François Ribo, two great figures of natural wine in the Rhône Valley. With Chrystelle, he began by taking over Paul's family farm with two ares of vines, then in 2004 the entire estate, which now covers 4.3 hectares. The white grape varieties are located around the house, the red grape varieties are planted on steep hillsides, between 300 and 450 meters above sea level. The plots rest on a granite base with light soils: black mica granite, schist and gneiss. Everything is cultivated organically (Ecocert) with biodynamic practices. The vines are cared for and fortified using plant decoctions and clay. The soils are worked by horse or winch and pickaxe. No chemical inputs are added to the vineyard work. The harvest is entirely manual.
Es d’aqui Trachéo Red 2019
A superb wine, refined and fresh, beautifully fruity. A nose of raspberry, rose, licorice, and Languedoc garrigue. On the palate, very well-integrated tannins. Beautiful energy, sunshine, and plenty of structure. This is a pure Grenache, made from grapes grown in the schist soils of Cabrerolles, in the Faugères region. It has a aging potential of six or seven years, but can be enjoyed now. The harvest macerates for twenty-three days in whole bunches and the wine is aged in resin vats.
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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, see link). 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 have an alcohol content of 14%." » 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 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.
Magnum Entre Cœurs Red 2011
Domaine Leonine
This 100% Grenache red comes from schist terroirs located in Port-Vendres, by the sea, near Collioure. The harvest undergoes a fifteen-day carbonic maceration, in 10 hectoliter vats, without punching down or pumping over. After pressing, aging is nine months in 300 and 400 liter barrels, with racking and bottling by gravity without added sulfur.
Natural wine without added sulfites.
