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What is organic red wine?
Historians trace the genesis of wine back more than eight thousand years, to the Caucasus region where wine was aged in kvrevris (or qvrevris), 3500-liter amphorae buried in the ground. Traditionally, red wine has always been what we now consider organic red wine, but the "organic" label only appeared at the end of the 20th century, as a reaction to the hyper-industrialization of wine. Indeed, it was in the context of wine globalization after the Second World War that large wine estates began to industrialize the global market with bottles full of inputs and synthetic chemicals, with the aim of achieving high yields and standardized production; this was the birth of what is called conventional wine. Organic is therefore a logical response to conventional, it is more respectful of the environment and meets strict specifications that govern wine production, from harvesting to bottling, including alcoholic fermentation.
Organic red wine is therefore a red wine made from organic farming. Organic in the broad sense (red wine but also white wine, rosé wine, orange wine, sparkling wine) first met the European specifications of 1991 which regulated the principles of organic farming in the vineyard. It was only in 2012 that new European specifications were published, this time declaring a regulation for organic farming also in the cellar.
As mentioned above, red wine from organic farming has theoretically always existed, but it has only been since 2012 that it has been supervised and regulated by strict specifications in both the vineyard and the cellar. In a broad sense, organic wine must be made from certified organic grapes, as well as organic sugar, must, or alcohol used during chaptalization and fortification. Also, organic wine prohibits certain winemaking practices such as de-alcoholization, electrodialysis, or thermovinification. The European Union also mandates a sulfite level 50 mg/L lower than conventional wines, i.e., a maximum of 100 mg/L for organic red wines.
Specific winemaking process
The winemaking process for organic red wine follows the same main steps as for conventional red wine, with a more careful and respectful approach to the fruit and its environment.
In the vineyards, synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and herbicides are prohibited, which allows the soil to remain fertile and rich in microorganisms, and the vines to develop grapes more concentrated in tannins and aromas.
Harvesting is mainly done by hand to preserve the integrity of the bunches. The berries are carefully sorted, ensuring that only healthy bunches enter the tank.
Next comes maceration, a step during which the juice remains in contact with the skins; the wine then acquires its full color, tannins, and aromas (often with notes of red fruits, black fruits, spices, or undergrowth).
In organic winemaking, fermentation often occurs with indigenous yeasts, those naturally present on the grape and in the cellar environment. This preserves the full identity of the terroir, resulting in a less standardized aromatic profile.
Also, all oenological inputs are regulated; the addition of sulfites is permitted but limited, which will stabilize the wine while allowing its personality to express itself. However, any artificial correction (industrial tannin, acidifier, aromatic yeast) is often discouraged or even prohibited.
As for aging, it can take place in tanks, barrels, or amphorae, depending on the style sought by the winemaker. The goal in organic winemaking is not to mask the wine, but rather to accompany it.
Are there sulfites in organic red wine?
Yes, there are sulfites in organic red wine, though in limited quantities. In organic farming, the measured addition of sulfites is allowed to enable better wine stabilization. European legislation sets maximum thresholds for added sulfites, significantly below those for conventional farming, with a maximum addition of 100mg/L for organic red wines (versus 150mg/L in conventional). The winemaker is then free to add even less, or none at all.
Otherwise, there will always be natural traces of sulfites, partly generated naturally by the grape to protect itself from its environment, and partly released by yeasts during alcoholic fermentation.
How to choose an organic red wine?
Choosing an organic red wine can seem complex at first, so we're giving you some simple benchmarks to help you make an informed choice that suits your tastes.
A certified organic red wine always bears an official logo, like the European green leaf. This label guarantees the absence of synthetic pesticides on the grapes, but it says nothing about the winemaking process. To go further, you should look for labels like Demeter or Biodyvin, which ensure an even more demanding approach.
Next, as with all red wines, there are very different profiles ranging from fruity and light wines (Gamay, Pinot Noir, Grenache) to structured and tannic wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre), as well as round and gourmet wines (Merlot, Syrah, Malbec). The grape variety and region can therefore guide your choice according to your preferences.
It should also be noted that the organic industry represents a certain philosophical approach on the part of the winemaker, which sometimes counts as much as the bottle's label. Some producers even go further than organic wine with biodynamic wine or natural wine (with low sulfite levels and stricter specifications).
Finally, it's important to know that organic red wines can evolve differently over time because they often contain fewer sulfites (they are less stable). Therefore, it is advisable for beginners to start with younger vintages, which are more accessible and expressive.
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87 products
87 products
Magnum Tonton Red 2015
This 100% Cabernet Franc comes from Vincent Wallard's Loire winery. Produced from clay-limestone soils, the grapes are vinified using a mille-feuille process (skin-on maceration using layers of destemmed grapes and whole bunches to control the astringency of the tannins) before aging for twenty months. Excellent with red meats and wild mushrooms (porcini mushrooms, for example), it can be kept for twenty years.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.
Maquis Red 2015
Lledo what? Here's a deep red produced from Lledoner Pelut, a little-known Catalan grape variety. The Maquis cuvée reflects the quintessence of the clay-limestone soil, with the added bounty of Roussillon. The grapes are vinified in whole bunches, crushed by foot, then placed in cement vats. A captivating nose with notes of raspberry, confirmed on the palate, with a fairly pronounced tannic texture.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
Magnum Pinot Noir 2020
Domaine Einhart
A velvety, ripe red, 100% Pinot Noir, with an intense, fragrant, and gently fruity aroma. The deep, purplish color evokes black cherry. The initial nose is enhanced by aromas of black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry) with a hint of freshness blended into a light vanilla woodiness. The second nose is more open, with aromas of blood orange, bitter almond, and kirsch. On the palate, the berries are still present, supported by present but well-melted tannins, leading to a velvety finish resting on a lovely freshness. Plenty of persistence and length. The Pinot Noirs from which it is made, aged around thirty years, grow on the muschelkalk (shell limestone) terroirs of Dittelsberg-Albermohn and are harvested by hand, then destemmed. Maceration, using indigenous yeasts, takes between ten and twelve days. Aging for one year on fine lees, in demi-muids, precedes bottling without filtration. From the vine to the cellar, this wine was made without any additives. Decanting is recommended so that it can fully express its finesse and grace.
To find out more
Located in the northern part of the Alsatian vineyard, horizontally above Strasbourg, the Einhart estate is a ten-hectare family estate whose vines are located on the hillsides that rise between the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains. The soil is clay-limestone and rich in fossils (muschelkalk, i.e. shell limestone and oolite limestone, and lettenkohle or dolomitic limestone). Since 1990, Nicolas Einhart has been at the helm, now assisted by his son Théo. True to his commitments to the TIFLO association, of which he is co-founder, Nicolas devotes his winemaking work to protecting the land and biodiversity, winemaking without inputs, refusing harmful phytosanitary products and maintaining ecological refuge areas. His estate has been certified organic since 2011. Like Jean-Marc Dreyer, he is resolutely moving towards skin maceration and produces white maceration wines (orange wines) in addition to a Pinot Noir red. Entirely manual harvesting, destemming of the bunches, light punching down and delicate pressing are characteristic of the estate, as well as the separate vinification of each terroir, aging on lees and the absence of filtration before bottling. The wines are pure grape, lively, powerful, invigorating, and transcribe the minerality of the very beautiful terroirs of the Vosges foothills.
Gamay Rouge 2020,
Domaine de l'Octavin
Nice acidity, lovely minerality, plenty of aroma, and a suppleness that asserts itself in the glass. Whichever way you look at it, this Gamay is very Gamay: fruity, juicy, with pleasant notes of raspberry, blackberry, licorice, and cherry. Mayga Gamay also offers a slight sparkle that awakens the dead. The grapes come from Pierre Boyat's estate in Leynes, Beaujolais, and macerate for twenty days in whole bunches.
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"You don't need anything," says Alice Bouvot, winemaker at Domaine de l'Octavin, "just a grape that feels good in its skin." Everything is said in favor of natural wine; it's a perfect description. Established in 2005, Domaine d'Alice is located in Arbois, in the Jura wine region, often described as the most organic vineyard in France. The practice of producing – among other things – oxidative wines is a good preparation for nature, as this type of wine does not allow any chemical additives and especially no sulfites. It is a secret of this magnificent region. Originally spread over two hectares, the estate, managed entirely biodynamically (Demeter) since 2010, has expanded through the gradual acquisition of plots and now covers seven hectares. An accomplished musician and passionate music lover, Alice aims to apply her musical sensitivity to the wines she makes. She draws a parallel between the technical perfection of conventional wines, which risks excluding feeling, while "a musician who does not know music theory and plays with his guts creates emotion." For her, living wine is like this: instinctive, improvised, emotional. Introduced to natural wine by Stéphane Planche, sommelier at chef Jean-Paul Jeunet in Arbois, she faithfully followed this path. The sometimes whimsical names of her vintages are inspired sometimes by musical art (Dorabella, Zerline), sometimes by the numerous plots of land that make up her vineyard (En Curon, Les Corvées, En Poussot, etc.), and do not disdain a pun from time to time. Likewise, the labels adorned with happy and salacious little gnomes are a signature of the estate. As for the grape varieties, they are the classics of the Jura: Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir for the reds, and Chardonnay, Savagnin for the whites. Alongside her Arbois wines, Alice has created a business selling "on the vine" grapes (Ecocert certified) with her winegrower friends in the region. Natural, committed, joyful and highly drinkable, Alice Bouvot's wines are all the more sought-after as the vintages, produced in plot-by-plot mode, appear, disappear and reappear depending on the vintage and inspiration.
She loves Red 2018, Domaine de l'Octavin
75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, the union of opposites. She loves results from two months of whole-bunch maceration and surprises on the palate with its notes that are both fruity (cherry, strawberry) and autumnal. A little balsamic vinegar and floral touches in the aroma. This light and fragrant gurgle has a beautiful acidic and tannic structure, and will not leave you indifferent.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, the union of opposites. She loves results from two months of whole-bunch maceration and surprises on the palate with its notes that are both fruity (cherry, strawberry) and autumnal. A little balsamic vinegar and floral touches in the aroma. This light and fragrant gurgle has a beautiful acidic and tannic structure, and will not leave you indifferent.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
Dorabella Rouge 2019, Domaine de l'Octavin
Here is a Poulsard red full of fruit, subtlety, and indulgence, typical of this wonderful Jura grape variety. The vines are grown biodynamically on gray limestone marl. The wine is obtained by carbonic maceration of the destemmed harvest, partial or total depending on the vintage, so don't be surprised by a slight sparkle. Lovely light ruby color; notes of spices, raspberry, and small red fruits.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
Here is a Poulsard red full of fruit, subtlety, and indulgence, typical of this wonderful Jura grape variety. The vines are grown biodynamically on gray limestone marl. The wine is obtained by carbonic maceration of the destemmed harvest, partial or total depending on the vintage, so don't be surprised by a slight sparkle. Lovely light ruby color; notes of spices, raspberry, and small red fruits.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
Grenabar Rouge 2021,
Domaine de l'Octavin
Grenabar 2021 is a joyful, fruity, and borderline rosé wine, with decidedly maraschino cherry, blood orange, and watermelon notes, with well-ripened tannins and moderate acidity that makes it very adaptable. Originally, it was made from Grenache and Colombard. For this vintage, it is made from Carignan and Vermentino (Rolle) produced biodynamically on granite and quartz soils (SCEA L’Authentique by Claude Ughetto in Carpentras). It is made by steeping whole-bunch Vermentino in Carignan must obtained by direct pressing. This maceration takes place for three weeks. Bottling was done in June 2022. This red wine also extends to the pairings traditionally associated with white wines. Very versatile and fresh on the palate.
Learn more
“You don’t need anything,” says Alice Bouvot, winemaker at Domaine de l’Octavin, “just a grape that feels good in its skin.” Everything is said in favor of natural wine; it’s a perfect description. Created in 2005, Domaine d’Alice is located in Arbois, in this wine-growing Jura region, often described as the most organic vineyard in France. The habit of making – among other things – oxidative wines is a good preparation for natural wine, this type of wine allowing no chemical additives and especially no sulfites. It’s a secret of this magnificent region. Originally spread over two hectares, the estate, managed entirely biodynamically (Demeter) since 2010, has expanded through the gradual acquisition of plots and now covers seven hectares.
An accomplished musician and passionate music lover, Alice intends to apply her musical sensitivity to the wines she makes. She draws a parallel between the technical perfection of conventional wines, which risks excluding feeling, while "a musician who does not know music theory and plays with his guts creates emotion." For her, living wine is like this: instinctive, improvised, emotional. Introduced to natural wine by Stéphane Planche, sommelier at chef Jean-Paul Jeunet in Arbois, she will faithfully follow this path. The sometimes whimsical titles of her vintages are inspired sometimes by musical art (Dorabella, Zerline), sometimes by the numerous plots of land that make up her vineyard (En Curon, Les Corvées, En Poussot, etc.), and do not disdain a pun from time to time. Likewise, the labels adorned with happy and salacious little gnomes are a signature of the estate. As for the grape varieties, they are the classics of the Jura - Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir for the reds, and Chardonnay, Savagnin for the whites. Alongside her Arbois wines, Alice has created a business of "on the vine" grapes (Ecocert certified) with her winegrower friends from the region. Natural, committed, joyful and highly drinkable, the wines of Alice Bouvot are all the more coveted as the vintages, produced in plot-by-plot mode, appear, disappear and reappear depending on the vintage and inspiration.
Zerlina Rouge 2018, Domaine de l'Octavin
One-third Pinot Noir and two-thirds Trousseau from the Curon area with its gray marl and limestone soil: this is Zerlina, whose name evokes Mozart's operas – a recurring theme for music lover Alice Bouvot. Before fermentation with indigenous yeasts and aging for ten months on fine lees in oak barrels, the harvest, hand-picked, is destemmed and partially pressed. Press juice and free-run juice are mixed for a clever blend: this Arbois red presents all the red fruits of Pinot and the spicy, undergrowth notes of Trousseau. The palate is frank, balanced, and structured.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
One-third Pinot Noir and two-thirds Trousseau from the Curon area with its gray marl and limestone soil: this is Zerlina, whose name evokes Mozart's operas – a recurring theme for music lover Alice Bouvot. Before fermentation with indigenous yeasts and aging for ten months on fine lees in oak barrels, the harvest, hand-picked, is destemmed and partially pressed. Press juice and free-run juice are mixed for a clever blend: this Arbois red presents all the red fruits of Pinot and the spicy, undergrowth notes of Trousseau. The palate is frank, balanced, and structured.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
Cathédrale Rouge 2020
Danis dans la Vigne
A monumental cuvée, balancing verticality and finesse
With Cathédrale 2020, Danis dans la vigne has created a powerful, complex, and meditative wine, reflecting its evocative name. This exceptional cuvée blends Malbec and Cabernet Franc, two noble grape varieties from the Southwest, grown in clay-limestone soil cultivated organically. A natural, lively wine, free of oenological additives, that embraces the long haul: 3 years of aging in barrels, topped up only once a year, in a deliberate oxidative approach, followed by a year of rest in stainless steel tanks, then a year of refinement in the bottle.
A rare and demanding process that gives birth to a wine with a deep aromatic profile, a silky texture, and remarkable complexity, capable of gracefully enduring through the years.
A noble, ample, patinated wine
From the first glance, the dark robe with garnet reflections announces the wine's richness. The nose opens with stewed black and red fruits, evolving into notes of toasted almond, cocoa, sweet spices, and undergrowth. On the palate, the texture is dense, velvety, but never heavy. The Cabernet Franc brings a welcome freshness that balances the power of the Malbec. The long and harmonious finish reveals a saline and slightly smoky touch.
Cathédrale 2020 is a gastronomic cuvée par excellence, designed for ambitious pairings: red meats, feathered game, truffle dishes, or even certain aged cheeses. Serve between 16 and 18°C, with no need for decanting. This wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for 10 years or more.
Fleurie Red 2022,
Domaine Bélicard
Within the Fleurie AOP, an emblematic terroir of Beaujolais, Domaine Bélicard produces wines of great elegance, faithful to the expression of Gamay Noir. Certified organic (AB, Eurofeuille), this cuvée comes from 39-year-old vines planted on granite soils, providing both finesse and structure.
A powerful and structured Fleurie
Vinified according to Beaujolais tradition, with whole-bunch maceration, this wine benefits from 10 months of barrel aging, which refines its tannins and enriches its aromatic palette. This meticulous work gives the 2022 vintage a beautiful tannic structure, while respecting the purity of the fruit.
An expressive nose and a fleshy palate
On the nose, this organic Fleurie reveals intense aromas of ripe red fruits, accompanied by a subtle woody touch. On the palate, the attack is ample, the tannins very present, bringing a beautiful body and a persistent finish. This balance between fruit and structure makes it a wine of character, made for aging.
Served at 14-16°C, this Fleurie AOP is ideal with grilled red meats, game birds or even roast veal. Its structure also allows it to be enjoyed as an aperitif, alongside fine charcuterie. With an aging potential of 5 years, it will gain in complexity and finesse over time.
Hedyos Red 2023
Hedyos is a red wine from the Gaillac terroir (Occitanie), organic and natural, produced by Domaine Bois-Moisset and classified as a Vin de France. A classic Syrah from the South, remarkable for its lightness and drinkability.
Vinification
Hedyos is 100% Syrah, produced without any chemical additives and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The Syrah harvest macerates for two weeks in whole bunches.
Tasting
A spicy lightness characterizes Hedyos, a red wine from Domaine Bois Moisset. The Syrah is fluid, supple, and mineral, with a dominant sweet spice and notes of black olives. It pairs well with Mediterranean dishes, tapenade, bagna cauda or anchoïade, pizzas, and pissaladières.
Learn more about Domaine Bois-Moisset
In the heart of France's oldest vineyard—Gaillac, in the Tarn region—Sylvie Ledran, Philippe Maffre, and their son Hippolyte oversee their Bois-Moisset estate, a wine-growing property associated with mixed crop and livestock farming, all organic. Gaillac is famous for its many ancient indigenous grape varieties, and its wine-growing heritage is uniquely rich.
Cows and Vines
Domaine Bois-Moisset is also home to a herd of old local breed cows, and guest rooms are available during the summer months. It is in this small rural paradise that natural wines typical of their origin and their terroir are born, on fifteen hectares of boulbènes, gravelly and sandy-loam soils carried by the Tarn for thousands of years.
Native grape varieties
The grape varieties are dominated by Syrah and Duras, but the wines of the Bois-Moisset estate reflect the ampelographic richness of the Gaillac region (braucol, prunelart, loin-de-l’œil, mauzac, braucol, ondenc, etc.). The red wines are crisply fruity, concentrated but with smooth and delicate tannins, the whites have character and the pet’ nat’ are particularly tasty.
Chateau Roulant Red 20/21
Benoit Camus
Château Roulant is a Beaujolais red wine, organic and natural (Ecocert certified), made from Gamay. Classified as a Vin de France, it is produced by Benoît Camus at his Pierre Dorées estate, in the south of the appellation. Its name evokes the itinerant life once led by the winemaker, a former seasonal agricultural worker.
Vinification
The Gamay vines of Beaujolais grow on clay-limestone soils. The very steep plots prohibit any mechanized work. The harvest, carried out by hand, undergoes a three-week semi-carbonic maceration. The wine is aged in concrete vats for fifteen months.
Tasting
The Beaujolais wines from Pierre Dorées are structured, long-lasting, and beautifully fruity. Here, after admiring a bright garnet color, we find strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, and cranberry, with a beautiful acidity in the mid-palate giving way to a rich and voluptuous finish. Freshness and acidity, leather, earth, and some animal notes. Wonderful richness in the mouth that we will enjoy accompanying with cold meats and cured meats, poultry such as pigeon or duck. Or even Red Meats .
Learn more about Benoît Camus
You might think he's itinerant, with his vintages called "Château roulant" or "Vagabond", but for Benoît Camus, it's a memory of his previous life, when he was a seasonal farmer in the Rhône Valley and as far as Roussillon. Since 2003, he has settled in Southern Beaujolais, in the Pierres Dorées terroir, to make organic (Ecocert) and natural wines.
Nature before, nature always
Before purchasing his seven-hectare estate from an old winemaker, the vines had not yet seen pesticides or chemical additives. Many in Beaujolais worked this way. He made his first vintage in 2006, "natural without knowing it," he says. A brief attempt at chemical spraying to treat grape worm definitively dissuaded him from adding anything to the vineyard or the cellar. He acquired Ecocert organic certification and continues to make natural wines.
The Pierre Dorées terroir
The southern Beaujolais, with its clay-limestone soils, produces wines that are more structured and powerful than those from the granite soils of the North. This is the profile presented by the reds of Benoît Camus, natural wines that are straight, dense and long-aging, with good acidity and well-integrated tannins, not forgetting abundant, rich and seductive fruit.
Vin paillé Red 2012
Marie and Vincent Tricot
Marie and Vincent Tricot's Vin de paille is undoubtedly a curiosity: it's a sweet wine made from 100% Auvergne Gamay, entirely organic and natural, made like a Vin de paille from the Jura. The harvest is dried on straw in an attic before pressing. We're not used to Gamay vinified this way, or even red wine vinified this way.
It's an experiment, but the result more than justifies the boldness. Drying on straw concentrates the sugar in the grape berries and accentuates the flavors. Only a drop remains in each berry, but what a drop! Sweet, caressing, syrupy, complex, this Vin de paille is a delight. Its color is not a pure red but an amber, and the nose is a veritable basket of slightly jammy fruits: plum, prune, raisins, strawberry. It is possible that a refermentation takes place in the bottle, which can give a sparkling attack to this wine, but it disappears quickly. On the palate, a delicious sweetness, lots of strawberry and pleasantness. Very easy to drink.
To find out more
Among the generation of Auvergne winemakers who, at the dawn of the 21st century, are resurrecting the vineyards of this beautiful volcanic province of the Massif Central in organic and natural ways, Marie and Vincent Tricot are pioneers, and their name is well known to those who have long loved natural wine. After a varied winegrowing journey that took them from Beaujolais to Chile and from Chile to Costières-de-Nîmes, they landed in Auvergne, at the foot of the Puy de Dôme, in the commune of Orcet where they took over Claude Prugnard's vineyard, a land that had not seen the slightest chemical input for around thirty years. The estate is located on a hillside, on the left bank of the Allier, in a volcanic clay-limestone area neighboring the vineyards of Châteaugay, Chanturgue and Corent. They acquired it in 2003 and, since then, have been making wines from Auvergne Gamay, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a little Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat. These rare and sought-after wines are mainly sold directly. They have a straight and flamboyant profile, and express themselves with as much character as simplicity.
Munjebel MC Red 2020
Cornelissen
Munjebel MC, an organic (Eurofeuille), biodynamic, and natural red wine from Sicily, is produced by Frank Cornelissen. It is classified DOP (PDO) 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.
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, with 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 a Bigorre black ham 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…
Ganache Red 2021,
A complex, innovative, and delicious wine, obtained after eight weeks of whole-bunch maceration. Bottling was done in June 2022. Ganache is not far from Grenache, that's it, you get the idea, and Gamay joins the fray. The famous southern grape variety, cultivated biodynamically and harvested in Carpentras (SCEA L’Authentique by Claude Ughetto), vinified in the Jura, doesn’t feel out of place at all: nothing prevents it from unleashing its brazenly fruity notes – cherry, fresh and candied strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, plum, dried fruit – enhanced with plum, black pepper, spices and chocolate. All that? Yes. Don’t be surprised by a slight reduction upon opening: aerate the wine, decant, or let it wait a little in the glass, it will disappear.
Find out more
“You don’t need anything,” says Alice Bouvot, winemaker at Domaine de l’Octavin, “just a grape that’s comfortable in its own skin.” Everything is said in favor of natural wine, it’s a perfect description. Established in 2005, Domaine d'Alice is located in Arbois, in the Jura wine region, often described as the most organic vineyard in France. The practice of producing – among other things – oxidative wines is a good preparation for nature, as this type of wine does not allow any chemical additives and especially no sulfites. It is a secret of this magnificent region. Originally spread over two hectares, the estate, managed entirely biodynamically (Demeter) since 2010, has expanded through the gradual acquisition of plots and now covers seven hectares. An accomplished musician and passionate music lover, Alice aims to apply her musical sensitivity to the wines she makes. She draws a parallel between the technical perfection of conventional wines, which risks excluding feeling, while "a musician who does not know music theory and plays with his guts creates emotion." For her, living wine is like this: instinctive, improvised, emotional. Introduced to natural wine by Stéphane Planche, sommelier at chef Jean-Paul Jeunet in Arbois, she faithfully followed this path. The sometimes whimsical names of her vintages are inspired sometimes by musical art (Dorabella, Zerline), sometimes by the numerous plots of land that make up her vineyard (En Curon, Les Corvées, En Poussot, etc.), and do not disdain a pun from time to time. Likewise, the labels adorned with happy and salacious little gnomes are a signature of the estate. As for the grape varieties, they are the classics of the Jura: Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir for the reds, and Chardonnay, Savagnin for the whites. Alongside her Arbois wines, Alice has created a business selling "on the vine" grapes (Ecocert certified) with her winegrower friends in the region. Natural, committed, joyful and highly drinkable, Alice Bouvot's wines are all the more sought-after as the vintages, produced in plot-by-plot mode, appear, disappear and reappear depending on the vintage and inspiration.
Pinot Noir Red 2021
Domaine Einhart
The deep, purplish color of this Pinot Noir from Domaine Einhart evokes black cherry: this is a velvety, ripe red, 100% Pinot Noir from the estate, with an intense, fragrant, and gently fruity aroma. The first nose is enhanced by aromas of black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry) with a hint of freshness blended into a light vanilla woodiness. The second nose is more open, with aromas of blood orange, bitter almond, and kirsch. On the palate, the small fruits are still present, supported by present but well-melted tannins, and lead to a velvety finish resting on a lovely freshness. Plenty of persistence and length. The Pinot Noirs from which it is made, aged around thirty years, grow on the muschelkalk (shell limestone) terroirs of Dittelsberg-Albermohn and are harvested by hand, then destemmed. Maceration, on indigenous yeasts, takes between ten and twelve days. Aging for one year on fine lees, in demi-muids, precedes bottling without filtration. From the vineyard to the cellar, this wine was made without any chemical additives or added sulfites. Decanting is recommended so that it fully expresses all its finesse and grace. The magnum format is only good for it, accentuating its velvety texture and depth.
To find out more
Located in the northern part of the Alsatian vineyard, horizontally above Strasbourg, the Einhart estate is a ten-hectare family property whose vines are located on the hillsides that rise between the Alsace plain and the Vosges mountains. The soil is clay-limestone and rich in fossils (muschelkalk, i.e. shell limestone and oolitic limestone, and lettenkohle or dolomitic limestone). Since 1990, Nicolas Einhart has been at the helm, now assisted by his son Théo. True to his commitments to the TIFLO association, of which he is a co-founder, Nicolas devotes his winemaking to protecting the land and biodiversity, making wine without inputs, refusing harmful phytosanitary products, and maintaining ecological refuge areas. His estate has been certified organic since 2011. Like Jean-Marc Dreyer [link], he is firmly focused on skin maceration and produces white maceration wines (orange wines) in addition to a Pinot Noir red. Entirely manual harvests, destemming of the grapes, light punching down, and delicate pressing are characteristic of the estate, as well as the separate vinification of each terroir, aging on lees, and the absence of filtration before bottling. The wines are pure grapes, lively, powerful, and tonic, and transcribe the minerality of the very beautiful terroirs of the Vosges foothills.
Potion Magique Rouge 2018, Domaine de l'Octavin
A surprising and purely Jura blend of Chardonnay, Savagnin, and Poulsard, grown on white and gray marl. A little mischievous, loaded with raspberry, orange peel, and flowers, a truly exceptional wine supported by fine acidity and earthy notes. The druid Panoramix, indeed, could not have done better.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
A surprising and purely Jura blend of Chardonnay, Savagnin, and Poulsard, grown on white and gray marl. A little mischievous, loaded with raspberry, orange peel, and flowers, a truly exceptional wine supported by fine acidity and earthy notes. The druid Panoramix, indeed, could not have done better.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
Côtes du Rhône Red 2022
This Côtes-du-Rhône from Domaine des Grandes Serres is what its name implies: an organic and natural red wine from the lower Rhône Valley, in the AOC-AOP Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages. It is part of the estate's "Comics" natural series (see label).
Vinification
The Côtes-du-Rhône from Domaine des Grandes Serres is made from 80% Syrah, with 5% of each of the following grape varieties: Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault, all grown on limestone and sandstone soils. The harvest is manual, the grapes are destemmed and macerated on the skins for three weeks. After pressing, the wine rests for eight months in stainless steel vats.
Tasting
A good, dense, indulgent, and fruity Côtes-du-Rhône, without the slight bite of sulfites, does that tempt you? This Côtes-du-Rhône is part of the estate's organic and natural "Comics" series and will always be perfect when you want a warm, fruity red wine suitable for all occasions.
Learn more about Domaine des Grandes Serres
Domaine des Grandes Serres, created in 1977 with respect for the environment and the terroir, represents the excellence and vitality, in organic and natural mode, of the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, where it covers 12 hectares. To make his estate and merchant wines, he harvests, buys grapes, vinifies, and ages them over a wide area, centered around Châteauneuf and the southern Côtes-du-Rhône, extending to areas such as Lirac and the Costières de Nîmes.
An organic commitment without ostentation
A large portion of the Domaine des Grandes Serres vintages are organic and without added sulfites, although the estate does not publicly boast about it. Modestly, Samuel Montgermont, the estate's general manager, explains that the geological and climatic conditions, particularly the mistral wind, promote the health of the vineyard and allow for the elimination of inputs. While the labels don't take themselves seriously, the wines are solid, fresh, and flavorful.
Covenant Red 2020
Danis dans la Vigne
An exceptional Malbec, matured in the silence of the cellar
Covenant 2020 embodies the philosophy of long-term patience. A truly unique cuvée by Danis dans la Vigne, crafted with rare precision. This 100% Malbec, organically grown on the clay-limestone soils of deep Cahors, is naturally vinified without unnecessary oenological intervention, with a short maceration, then aged for three years in barrels, topped up only once a year. This demanding, bold method allows the wine to concentrate, oxidize slowly, and round out in a near-oxidative dynamic, before a year in stainless steel tanks, then a year of rest in the bottle.
A mature, complex, accomplished wine that contrasts with the sometimes raw image of Malbec. Covenant lives up to its name: a true pact between time, matter, and the winemaker's craft.
Deep, enveloping, meditative
Upon serving, the wine reveals a dark color with deep garnet reflections. The nose is captivating: bitter cocoa, sweet spices, stewed black fruit, truffle, almost a hint of leather. On the palate, it's a unique experience. The texture is velvety, full-bodied, yet perfectly balanced. The length is remarkable, persistent, with a saline finish. One senses a wine in full maturity, ready to be enjoyed, but also built for aging.
Covenant 2020 is perfect for noble red meats, game, a truffle dish, or even a dark chocolate dessert for the most adventurous. Serve at 16-18°C, without decanting, in a large glass that allows it time to breathe.
Fleurie Red 2021,
Domaine Bélicard
Within the Fleurie AOP appellation, renowned for its fine and elegant wines, Domaine Bélicard, certified organic (AB, Eurofeuille), produces a cuvée that expresses all the delicacy of Gamay Noir. Produced from 38-year-old vines rooted in granite soils, this 2021 vintage stands out for its freshness and tangy character.
A Fleurie of finesse and freshness
Vinified using the traditional Beaujolais method, with whole-bunch maceration, this wine benefits from gentle extraction, preserving all the purity of the fruit. The 10-month barrel aging brings complexity and elegance, while respecting the natural expression of the terroir.
A vibrant nose and an airy palate
Upon opening, this organic Fleurie reveals a fresh and delicious nose, marked by tangy notes of crisp red fruits, evoking raspberry and redcurrant. On the palate, the attack is lively and silky, offering a beautiful mineral tension and an elegant and persistent finish.
Served at 14-16°C, this Fleurie AOP is ideal for a refined aperitif, summer barbecues or a gourmet salad. Its freshness makes it a perfect companion for convivial moments, and its aging potential of 5 years will allow it to evolve towards even more subtle aromas.
