Club Corner
Septmeber 2025 Rosé Club
A DARKER SHADE OF PINK While the wines this month share a few commonalities—both are from the southern half of France and are farmed organically—the striking feature we will focus on is color. While rosé can be macerated, which is one of the earliest steps in winemaking, where the grapes are crushed and the juice is left to sit on the skins and solids to extract color, tannins, and flavor compounds, it is typically done for as little as two hours. The juice is then quickly removed from the skins to avoid excessive color or pressed without maceration at all to create lighter-colored wines. This month, we will be examining the other side of rosé: wines with deeper color and different techniques, such as extended maceration and the saignée method. Rasteau is a tiny village in the Southern Rhône that, like much of this part of France, traces its winemaking history back to the Romans, with evidence of vineyards as early as 30 BC. The first documented evidence of winemaking dates to the 11th century. Under the supervision of the church and the bishops of Vaison-la-Romaine, the region's winemaking developed further from the end of the 13th century onward. Historically known for its Vin Doux Naturels, fortified wines made from Grenache, Rasteau has, in recent decades, become known for its dry red wines. Irouléguy is nestled in the heart of French Basque Country beneath the Pyrenees mountains and boasts 2,000 years of winemaking history. During the Middle Ages, monks made wine for pilgrims traveling to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. This tiny appellation is ideal for growing grapes, with its sunny maritime influence tempered by the mountain range, providing warm, dry summers. While the local Tannat and Cabernet Franc produce big, tannic reds, the rosé is similar to those of nearby Navarra, with its fruity flavors and perfumed nose. Think Pink, Justin Malesheetz PlumpJack Fillmore Wine Buyer 2024 Coteaux de Travers ZouZou Cotes du Rhone Rosé Region/Country of Origin: Rasteau, FR About the Winery: Founded in 1920 in the commune of Rasteau in the heart of the Cotes du Rhone, Coteaux de Travers initially sold their grapes and didn’t bottle their own wine until 1976. In 1984, Robert took over the estate from his father and, with a focus on more sustainable farming, began elevating the quality of the wines. Since 2010, the estate has been certified organic and farmed biodynamically. Roberts' children, Marine and Paul, began working on the estate in 2016. With her doctorate in organic chemistry, Marine focuses primarily on winemaking while her brother Paul, with a degree in industrial engineering and two years of experience working in Australia, focuses primarily on work in the vineyard. About the Winemaking: A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Clairette that utilizes the saignée method in which a portion of fermenting wine destined to be made into red wine is bled off after a shorter period and finishes its fermentation separately, creating a darker, bolder rose. The wine is fermented at low temperatures and aged for three months in stainless steel vats. Tasting Notes: A pale rose color in the glass with aromas of fresh raspberry, red cherry, strawberry, and a fresh herbaceous character. On the palate, it shows bright acidity matched with bright red berry flavors and a dry finish. Winemaker: Marine Charavin Price per bottle / Price per case: $15.99 btl/ $172.69 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Great as an aperitif or with hard cheeses, grilled oysters, chicken in cream sauce with mushrooms. 2024 Domaine Ilarria Irouléguy Rosé Region/Country of Origin: Irouléguy AOC, FR About the Winery: Domaine Ilarria is a multi-generational estate located firmly in French Basque Country, and until 1990 was one of only two independent producers in a region largely run by the local cooperative. Currently run by Peio Espil, who took over the domain in 1990, the vineyards have been farmed without the use of synthetic chemical sprays and have been certified organic since 2008, with a focus on biodiversity in the vineyards and overall health of the soil being his number one concern. About the Winemaking: A blend of 60% Tannat and 40% Cabernet Franc from certified organic vineyards that are hand harvested and destemmed before undergoing a longer maceration for rose (15-18 hours) to extract color and aromatic compounds. The wine is then pressed and undergoes primary and malolactic fermentation with ambient yeast and aged on the lees in stainless steel vats. Tasting Notes: Pale crimson with a nose of mineral earthiness and floral notes; dried rose, blood orange, cranberry, pomegranate, and dried citrus peel. Dry and tart on the palate, with vivid acidity and fresh cranberry and citrus flavors with a long, almost flinty finish. Winemaker: Peio Espil Price per bottle / Price per case: $27.99 btl/ $302.29 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Carpaccio, roasted root vegetables, grilled chicken.
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May 2024 Rosé of the Month Club
Château La Nerthe Every so often, I have the pleasure of being invited to winemaker lunches, where a visiting vigneron hosts wine buyers and showcases their wines alongside some fabulous food. Last week I was fortunate to attend one such event at Spruce with Rémi Jean from Château La Nerthe, and I was super impressed by the entire line up. As a matter of fact, I liked them so much that I bought both of their rosés for this month’s club! Purchased by the Tulle de Villefranche family in 1560, the historic Château was built in 1736, making Château La Nerthe one of the very oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They were also among the first to bottle it their own wine, starting in 1784, and export it outside of France. They also pioneered the practice of de-stemming 100% of their grapes prior to vinification in the 19th century, by which point theirs was the most expensive wine from Southern Rhone. In 1870, the Tulle de Villefranche family sold the property to the Joseph Ducos family, in part due to the devastation caused to the vineyards by phylloxera. The Ducos family made their mark on Chateau la Nerthe’s history by replanting the vineyard on grafted phylloxera-resistant rootstock and by planting new, local grape varieties; 10 of the 13 permitted varietals were planted. They maintained ownership of the property until 1941 when Château La Nerthe was bought at an auction by the Leclerc and Motte families. By 1985, Château La Nerthe had become dilapidated and was put up for sale by the Dereumaux family and purchased by the Richard family in partnership with David and Foillard negociants. Their goal for the estate was to revive the original values of excellence and innovation. A complete renovation of the estate took place and much of the vineyards were replanted. In 1991, Château La Nerthe was able to expand their holdings with the purchase of 54 acres of vines, which helped to create one of the largest estates in the Southern Rhône with 230 acres. In 1998, the vineyard was certified organic. Rémi Jean joined the Chateau la Nerthe team in late 2019 and has been placed in charge of the estate and its winemaking. He grew up in a family of farmers in Provence, and received his degree in winemaking and agricultural engineering at Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique in Montpellier. Rémi began his career in the wine cellars of Languedoc, spending one harvest there, after which he moved to Cairanne, a Côtes du Rhône Villages Cru, to work as assistant winemaker. From 2004 to 2007, he was cellar master and winemaker for Maison Louis Jadot in Beaujolais under the helm of Jacques Lardiere. Beginning with the mentorship of Jacques and through first-hand experience over the years, Rémi has learned that the quality of the wine begins with the quality of the grape and level of care and skill in vineyard management. He practices minimal intervention in the cellar and in winemaking, while keeping informed of the latest technology, and believing that it should be employed only when needed. Rémi Jean has had a long partnership with the Richard Family Wineries, previously working as General Manager for their Bordeaux properties, Château de Corcelles and Château des Tours. Think Pink! Carrie Upson- General Manager Château La Nerthe Prieuré de Montézargues Tavel 2022 Region: Tavel AOC, Rhône Valley, France About the Vineyard: A historic vineyard, the Prieuré de Montézargues was originally a monastery dating from 1199. The property covers 84 acres and is sheltered from the Mistral wind by the Montagne Noire mountain range. The original stone priory buildings blend seamlessly into the landscape, forming a micro-terroir and the unique personality of the Montézargues estate wines. This micro-terroir is composed of sandy soils covered by a layer of ‘galets’ - large, round, well-worn stones that were carried down from the Alps by glaciers during the last ice age. About the winemaking: Grapes are hand-harvested early in the morning and carefully sorted. The grapes undergo direct pressing in a pneumatic press for three hours. After fermentation at a low temperature, the wine is blended and aged on fine lees for four months in stainless steel vats. Grenache Noir, Blanc & Gris (50%), Mourvèdre (15%), Cinsault (15%), Syrah (10%), Clairette (10%). Tasting notes: A bright cherry pink, this Tavel rosé shows aromas of ripe peaches, strawberries and orange peel. On the palate, this complex and balanced wine has notes of anise and grapefruit with a mineral streak. It has good length and finishes with zesty lime notes. Winemaker: Rèmi Jean Price per bottle/Price per case: $21.99 btl/237.50 Suggested Food Pairing: Seared tuna, grilled fish, tomato salad Château La Nerthe “Les Cassagnes” Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2022 Region: Côtes du Rhône AOC, Rhône Valley, France Harvest notes: The 2022 vintage in France was marked by very hot temperatures and severe drought in all vineyards. There were no climatic events in the vineyards, but the harvest began early. Overall, the quantity obtained was normal despite the heat wave. About the winemaking: Hand-harvested grapes are carefully sorted once they arrive in the cellar, and then undergo direct pressing in a pneumatic press for three hours. The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled tanks at a low temperature to maintain its freshness, and ages for four months on fine lees in stainless steel vats. Vineyards are certified AB Organic. GRAPES: Grenache (60%), Mourvèdre (30%), Cinsault (20%) Tasting notes: “A fruity nose with lots of apricots, peaches and brown sugar. Medium body with creamy texture and mid-palate volume. Velvety and generous with a lush finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.” 92 Points JS Winemaker: Rèmi Jean Price per bottle/Price per case: $16.99 btl/$183.49 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Charcuterie platters, goat cheese terrine, grilled chicken marinated with olive oil, lemon, and thyme.
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July 2023 Wine of the Month
In the wine world, sometimes it seems like all roads do, in fact, lead to Rhône. Named for the Rhône river, which flows for 500 miles from the Swiss Alps to the Mediterranean, the Rhône Valley wine region begins in central France, just south of Lyon and follows the water’s path to the sea. Its 150 miles encompass 70,000 hectares under vine across more than 30 different AOCs. Syrah starts here, and at least two dozen other grapes are generally identified as ‘Rhône varietals.’ Rhonê is also responsible for pioneering all kinds of blends, most famously Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre or GSM, and winemakers the world over - California’s Rhône Rangers for instance - have taken inspiration from the region and sought to echo the power and complexity of its best wines on compatible terroir. Greek settlers planted the first vineyards in Rhône around 400 BC, near present day Marseilles, but it was their Roman successors who laid the groundwork for widespread viticulture in the area. A thousand years later, Pope Clement V moved the Roman Catholic papal seat from Rome to Avignon, and legend suggests that a knight returning from the Crusades built a small chapel on a hill overlooking the river. The “Castle of the Popes” and the small pilgrim’s chapel today stand as respective and enduring symbols for two of the Rhône’s greatest wines, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Hermitage. The former is located in Southern Rhône, the latter in the North - and this bifurcation, North and South, is the most general way the area is divided, as the two parts present a sharp contrast: Northern Rhône is precise and compact, composed of 8 AOCs nestled into 40 miles of steep hillside overlooking the river, and responsible for just 5% of all Rhône wine. Syrah is the only allowable red grape in the region and is grown (along with a minuscule amount of white, mainly Viognier, most notably in the Condrieu AOC) in a cool continental climate, with significant seasonal temperature shifts. Southern Rhône on the other hand, is sprawling and amorphous. As the Rhône river passes Montélimar, the valley flattens and widens and the climate becomes Mediterranean - hot and dry but still heavily influenced by the mistral winds from the Alps. Vineyards begin to take up more of the landscape, extending out from the river banks to encompass much of the surrounding area. There are 12 white and 14 red varietals allowable in Southern Rhône wines, ranging from the near ubiquitous Grenache (Blanc and Rouge) to the almost non-existent Calitor and Picardan. This month we are featuring a selection from each area, both by women winemakers with viticultural roots going back at least three generations in the region. The white is one of the relatively few produced in Northern Rhone, from the Crozes-Hermitage appellation, the largest in the north, 85% of which is planted to Syrah grapes, with the remaining 15% consisting of the white Marsanne and Roussanne varietals. Christelle Betton sticks to the single varietal tradition with this 100% Marsanne bottling, from a single parcel of 30 year old vines. The red is a Cotes-du-Rhone blend by Stephanie Fumoso from 55 year-old, organically certified (mostly) Grenache vines planted in the communes of Vacqueyras and Voiles. Full bodied, slightly floral, with great spice and smooth tannins, it’s an ideal coldest-winter-I ever-spent-was a- summer-in-SF red. Cheers, PlumpJack Wine Team Domaine Christelle Betton Crozes-Hermitage Blanc ‘Elixir’ Region / Country of Origin: Crozes-Hermitage, Northern Rhone, France About the winemaker: Representing the third generation of her family to have answered the siren call of northern Rhône Syrah, Christelle Betton’s vision is one of pure and refined fruit, inspired by the cool northern Mistral winds and stony personality of her family’s vineyards in La Roche de Glun. Her skills come naturally, having watched her grandfather and father care for their vines, plowing the fields by hand and farming as naturally as possible. Today Christelle farms her land organically, but is not certified; she prefers the flexibility of allowing the earth to tell her what it needs, and when. About the winemaking: A selection of fruit from a single parcel planted in 1985. Soils are alluvial with many “galets roulés” commonly found along the Rhône River valley (especially in Châteauneuf-du-Pape). The area is dry; the family plows their land by hand to train the vines’ roots to dig deep in the rocky soils for nutrients and moisture. Hand-harvested. Pressed directly; fermented in tanks on indigenous yeasts. Aged in tanks for eight months. Tasting Notes: Aromas of white flowers, citrus zest, light spice, crisp pear. Good volume, balanced; clean finish. Winemaker: Christelle Betton Price: $26.99 btl/$291.50 case Suggested Food Pairing: As an aperitif; with soft rind cheese; grilled chicken; air-dried sausages Gour de Chaulé Côtes du Rhône Rouge "La Vigneronne" 2021 Region / Country of Origin: Gigondas, Southern Rhone, France About the Winery: The Domaine Gour de Chaulé, situated in the heart of the village of Gigondas, was founded in 1900 by Eugene Bonfils, the great-grandfather of the current proprietor Stephanie Fumoso. All the wine produced at the estate was sold in bulk to negociants until 1970 when Madame Rolande Beaumet, Eugene’s daughter and Stéphanie’s grandmother, began to bottle a small percentage of the estate’s wine for sale to private clients. Madame Beaumet’s daughter, Aline Bonfils, ascended to the head of the domaine in the early 1980s and it was under the direction of Aline that the tradition of estate bottling expanded significantly. The domaine comprises 15 hectares, 10 of which are within Gigondas with the remaining 5 hectares situated in the surrounding communes of Vacqueyras and Violes. About the winemaking: Dedicated to minimal intervention in the vineyards and winemaking. It is vinified in a similar fashion as the Gigondas except that the élevage is shorter. This is to say that there is an extended cuvaison with stems included, malolactic fermentation occurs, and the wine sees a stay in large foudres (30%) and concrete eggs (70%) before being bottled 18 months after harvest without fining or filtration. Tasting Notes: The aromas are quite pretty, showing ripe cassis, strawberry and black cherry with hints of violet, spice and garrigue. The palate shows peppery ripe fruit, cassis, black plum and strawberry, with earth, spice and tobacco. Winemaker: Stephanie Fumoso Price: $24.99/btl $269.90 case Suggested Food Pairing: Herb-crusted chicken thighs; barbecue pork with a berry-flecked, herbaceous sauce; lamb chops with lentils du Puy
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April '23 Rosé Club
Imagine the following scenario: you are surrounded by a group of the most convincingly French people you’ve ever met - each hailing from a different region of the country, wielding a bottle of their childhood rosé and remonstrating, in charmingly accented, floridly idiomatic English, on its behalf. You can choose only one to enliven your occasion; how do you decide? The very same way you get to La Place de La Revolution: praxis, praxis, praxis! Rosé club provides the background - history, methodology, ideology - for each bottle; you drink it and choose accordingly. The good news is there are no wrong answers, no losers, no Thermidor, in this particular pink tide - and for April we are featuring two of the strongest opposing forces, Provence and Rhône, mobilized for your support. The only reactionary move here is not to participate. Pensez Rose! The Gassier family are instrumental in the history of Provence. Since the 17th century, the family distinguished themselves in the service of royalty as well as in legal and academic circles. But it is the younger branch of the family, based in Saint Estève de Var, whom provide the wine connection. From the turn of the 20th century, patriarch Raymond Gassier owned 200 hectares around the region. Raymond was briefly married to Colette Mars, a singer and actress of the time, who, in 1938, encouraged him to claim his title of nobility so that he became known as Baron Raymond Marius Gassier of Saint Estève. This proved a heritage of high lineage, associated with the kingdoms of France and Spain. Anthony Gassier, who adored horses and rode for various prestigious French stables, eventually abandoned his equestrian career to devote himself to the family vineyard. His search for great terroir in Provence led him to Sainte-Victoire, where he fell under the spell of the Mountain and founded Château Gassier. His son Georges, representing the 5th generation in the Gassier family’s wine lineage, took over the Château property in 1997. Olivier Souvelain joined Château Gassier in 2010 and was entrusted with the task of restructuring the vineyards and buildings as well as preserving the domaine and its environment, and the vineyards underwent organic conversion in 2016. Owned by father and daughter team Paul and Laurence Féraud, Domaine du Pégau is one of the great estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The benchmark producer of traditionally-styled Châteauneuf, Pégau is justifiably ranked among the greatest wines in the world.The Férauds have been growing vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape since 1670, with titles to their earliest vineyards dating back to 1733. They also grew cherries and olives, but sold the bulk of their production to top négociants (Jaboulet-Aine, David & Foillard, Guigal) until 1964, when Paul decided to sell 5,000 bottles on his own label. Laurence studied business and marketing in Paris, and after various jobs in wines sales, returned to Châteauneuf-du-Pape to help manage the family estate. Laurence was full of ideas, and to differentiate themselves, proposed creating a family domaine with a unique name and label. She and Paul launched Domaine du Pégau in 1987, naming the estate after the terracotta jugs used in the Pope’s summer residence that gave the village its name. Though the estate has scaled great heights and now includes nearly 52 acres under vine, it is a hallmark that the winegrowing remains deeply traditional and has changed very little in the past 150 years. Think Pink, Carrie Upson General Manager Château Gassier “Esprit Gassier” Côtes de Provence Rose 2022 Region/Country of Origin: Côtes de Provence, France About the Vineyards: Nestled in the foothills of the Montagne de Sainte-Victoire, at some of the highest elevations found in Provence, are the vineyards of Château Gassier. In 1982, the Gassier family, originally from Barcelonnette, Haute-Provence, and descendants of the Provençal nobility since 1421, bought the property and the 40 hectares of vines in the village of Puyloubier. About the Winemaking: Mechanical harvests at dawn. Direct pressing, settling, and low fermentation temperature. Tasting Notes: Clear, pale, peach hue with a salmon pink core. The nose opens up with subtle notes of red berries which give way to more intense aromas of citrus fruits and dried mango after a few swirls in the glass. The palate is underpinned by distinctive notes of Corsican clementine and grapefruit. The finish is beautifully fresh with lingering menthol notes. Winemakers: Georges Gassier Price per bottle / Price per case: $24.99 / Suggested Food Pairing: Zucchini fries, Fig & goat cheese tarts, Garlic shrimp Pink Pegau 2021 Rosé Region/Country of Origin: Vin de France with some grapes from Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Villages About the Winery: Vineyards are situated in Sorgues, along the Rhône. 101+ acres of Côtes du Rhone Villages (nearly 62 acres), Côtes du Rhone (12+ acres), and Vin de Table (27+ acres) planted in deep, stony, clay soils marked by round galets that characterize the Chateauneuf-du-Pape area. About the Winemaking: From vines averaging 35 to 60 years in age. Manual harvest. Direct pressing, with no maceration. 1-month fermentation in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. No malolactic conversion. Bottled after 2 months in tank, under vacuum and with nitrogen to preserve freshness. 70% Cinsault, 20% Grenache rouge, 10% Carignan.. Tasting Notes: Pink/salmon in color, with peach, floral and red fruit aromas. Bone dry, with a crisp, mouth-watering acidity leading to a long, spicy, mineral finish. Winemaker: Laurence Féraud Price per bottle / Price per case: $14.99/ Suggested Food Pairing: Enjoyable as an aperitif, this versatile rosé will also pair well with a wide range of foods (charcuterie, Salmon Rillettes, grilled summer vegetables, hummus with crudités, and more).
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Rose of the Month Club August 2022
We’re sticking with the “vacationing in the south of France” theme this month, as I’ve discovered two more exquisite French rosés. These, however, aren’t from the traditional Provence region; they are from the Rhône region. Tavel specifically refers to a small region in the southern portion of France’s Rhône region, an area perhaps better known for Châteauneuf-du-Pape. And like CdP, Tavel is a blend that is largely made up of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvedre, though 9 grapes in full are permitted. Warm climates in southern France make the grapes grown for Tavel huge and full of sugar, leading to darker, more alcoholic wines. Because of its booming alcohol (this one clocks in at 14.5%), this blend might be one of the only rosé wines out there well known for its ability to age, which gives it savory, nutty flavors over time. With its bolder, summer fruit flavors, Tavel is known for its ability to pair well with a wide variety of foods: meat and fish alike. Basically, anything that red wine can do, Tavel can largely keep up. Plus, Tavel is the only AOC that only makes one wine, and that wine is a rosé! Vaucluse is an IGP title for red, white and rosé wines that are produced in the administrative department of the same name in southeastern France. The department lies in the heart of the southern Rhône Valley. One of France’s foremost wine regions, the Côtes du Rhône boasts diverse natural landscapes shaped by the mighty River Rhône, and a rich winemaking history dating back over 2,000 years. Vaucluse is the also home the Côtes du Rhône’s capital, Avignon, which is known for being the seat of the papacy during the schism, and seven successive popes found time alongside their religious duties to champion local wines. Our Tavel wine comes from Domaine Maby, which is now located near Avignon and has been family owned and operated for over several generations. The family settled in Tavel in the early 19th century and produced wines for personal and local consumption. After the Second World War, Domaine Maby was officially launched by Armand Maby, who developed a modern, functional winery and acquired new plots of vines. In 1946, the first bottles bearing the “Domaine Maby” label were produced. Our Vaucluse wine is from Domaine de l’Amauve, which is an eleven hectare family estate in the South of the Rhône Valley on the village of Seguret. M. Christian Voeux has a long and storied history in the southern Rhône valley with 24 years as the Maître de Chais (cellar master) at the renowned Château Mont-Redon in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In 2008 he left Mont-Redon to run Château la Nerthe, another well respected Châteauneuf-du-Pape property. When his parents retired in 2005, Christian decided to take over the family property in Séguret and began making the wines. The results have been stunning. Séguret is a village just a stones throw from Gigondas, sharing the same soils and terroir as this well-regarded appellation. Think Pink! Carrie Upson- General Manager 2021 Maby Tavel Rosé Region/Country of Origin: Tavel Rhone, France About the Vineyards: Maintaining healthy vines and high quality grapes is the key to producing great wine… and a veritable obsession at Domaine Maby. The work carried out on the vineyard throughout the year to ensure this essential, requiring skill and consistency. Engaged in sustainable winemaking, Domaine Maby favors natural vineyard maintenance techniques. Use of plant care products is limited to a minimum. Vineyard work is fully manual. About the Winemaking: AVERAGE AGE OF THE VINEYARD: 52 years YIELD: 45 hl / ha MATURING: Stainless steel vats BOTTLING: January 2022 (19, 000 bottles) SERVING TEMPERATURE: To drink between 10° and 12° AGING POTENTIAL: 10 years. Converting to organic farming as we speak. Grenache (50%) and Cinsault (50%) Tasting Notes: A bright raspberry pink color. Delightful ripe fruit aroma with strawberries, red fruit, citrus fruit and light spices. An aromatic opening with a frank, structured and deep palate which offers a wonderful background for a lengthy expression of its southern character. On the palate, concentration and silky structure make this a magnificent wine for gastronomy. A combination of Grenache and Cinsault grown only on pebble terroirs offers notable minerality as well. Winemaker: Philippe Cambie Price per bottle / Price per case: $24/$259.20 Suggested Food Pairing: Tapenade Ratatouille BBQ Chicken Salad Nicoise 2021 Domaine de L’Amauve Le Rosé de Yvonne Region/Country of Origin: Vaucluse IGP, Rhone, France About the Winery: The village of Séguret is built into the side of a steep limestone cliff. The vineyards flow down the hillside to a gravely plateau. Farming at Domaine de l’Amauve is organic (certified with 2020 vintage). The terroir is a mix of disintegrated limestone with alluvial gravel, sand, & clay on a limestone bedrock. Green harvesting is employed to reduce yields and native grasses are encouraged to develop natural diversity in the vineyard. Harvesting is done by hand, over several passes, to select the best clusters at optimal ripeness. The Mediterranean climate ensures favorable conditions for quality grapes each year. About the Winemaking: The grapes are sent directly to the pneumatic press for a 1½ hour maceration soak before pressing. The juice is then sent to a tank and held at low temperatures for a 24 hour period to separate the lees. After a careful racking, the wine is fermented at low temperatures to enhance the fruity characteristics found naturally in the grapes. After fermentation, the wine is kept on the fine lees for a period of 6 months, very lightly sulfured, to retain the freshness and purity of aromas. 50% Grenache, 40% Caladoc, 10% Syrah. Only 168 cases were imported to the U.S. Tasting Notes: “le Rosé d’Yvonne” is a beautiful light king salmon color with bright watermelon, honeydew melon, and dried rose petal aromas and a hint of celery in the background. The palate is soft & round with flavors of strawberry, ripe melon, tangerine, & a panoply of spices including green peppers & anise. The finish is soft yet balanced, making this a very easy drinker. This is a versatile wine that shouldn’t be boxed in as a summertime sipper. It can be enjoyed all year round with good friends and lovers. La vie en Rosé! Winemaker: Christian Voeux Price per bottle / Price per case: $16 btl/$183.60 case Suggested Food Pairing: Great as an aperitif grilled fish chicken in a tomato based sauce charcuterie platter
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February WOM 2022
In the wine world, sometimes it seems like all roads do, in fact, lead to the Rhône . Named for the Rhône river, which flows for 500 miles from the Swiss Alps to the Mediterrean, the Rhône Valley wine region begins in central France, just south of Lyon and follows the water’s path to the sea. Its 150 miles encompass 71,0000 hectares under vine across more than 30 different AOCs. Syrah starts here, and at least two dozen other grapes are generally identified as ‘Rhône varietals.’ Rhonê is also responsible for pioneering all kinds of blends, most famously Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre or GSM, and winemakers the world over - California’s Rhonê Rangers for instance - have taken inspiration from the region and sought to echo the power and complexity of its best wines on compatible terroir. Greek settlers planted the first vineyards in Rhône around 400 BC, near present day Marsailles, but it was their Roman successors who laid the ground work for widespread viticulture in the Rhone Valley. A thousand years later, Pope Clement V moved the Roman Catholic papal seat from Rome to Avignon, and legend suggests that a knight returning from the Crusades built a small chapel on hill overlooking the river. The “Castle of the Popes” and the small pilgrim’s chapel today stand as respective and enduring symbols for two of the Rhône greatest wines, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Hermitage. Rhône can be divided into two parts that are a study in contrasts. Northern Rhône is precise and compact, composed of 8 AOCs nestled into 40 miles of steep hillside overlooking the river, and responsible for just 5% of all Rhône wine. Syrah is the only allowable red grape in the region and it is grown (along with a minuscule amount of white, mainly Viognier, most notably in the Condrieu AOC) in a cool continental climate, with signifiant seasonal temperature shifts. Southern Rhône on the other hand, is sprawling and amorphous. As the Rhône river passes Montélimar, the valley flattens and widens and the climate becomes Mediterranean - hotter and drier but still heavily influenced by the mistral winds from the Alps. Vineyards begin to take up more of the landscape, extending out from the river banks to encompass much of the surrounding area. There are 12 white and 14 red varietals allowable in Southern Rhône wines, ranging from the near ubiquitous Grenache (Blanc and Rouge) to the almost non-existent Calitor and Picardan. Aside from the aforementioned Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône wines aren’t as prized or expensive as those from the North, but the sheer size and variety of viticulture in the area means there is lots of space and freedom for intrepid vignernons to do interesting things at reasonable costs. This month we are excited to feature two of our favorites. Corrina Faravel of Martinelle Winery, a pioneer in the Ventoux appellation, supplies the red blend. Named after the mountain that dominates the local landscape and provides one of the most grueling stages of the Tour de France, Ventoux also boasts some of the highest altitude and coolest climate sites in Southern Rhône; an intriguing combination of Northern weather and Southern terroir. Our white selection comes from Domaine Maby in Lirac. Situated in the low-lying hills directly across the river from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac has a similar soil composition of large round quartz boulder pebbles called galets roulés. These galet soils help to absorb valuable moisture and retain heat during the day which is then slowly reflected back on the grapevines at night, resulting in better and more even grape ripeness. Both producers are dedicated to organic, sustainable agriculture and represent some of the best that Southern Rhône has to offer. Cheers, The PlumpJack Wine Team Martinelle Ventoux Rouge Region / Country of Origin: Ventoux, Rhone, France About the vineyard: Martinelle occupies 11.5 hectares on the eastern slopes of the imposing limestone cliffs of the Dentelles de Montmirail, east of Gigondas. The landscape is marked by steep hills, and vineyards share space with olive and pine trees with aromatic herbs growing among vineyard rows. All the vines are planted on southeast-facing terraces, which meet the sun the moment it crests over Mount Ventoux, and yet are protected from the afternoon’s intense heat. Vines are cared for according to organic principles, and the estate was officially certified by Ecocert in 2015. About the Winemaking: Hand-harvested, with grapes sorted in the fields and at the cellar. Destemmed and lightly crushed; fed via gravity into unlined cement tanks and fermented on indigenous yeasts. After malolactic conversion, the final blend (65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 13% Mourvèdre, 2% old-vine Carignan, young Counoise, Terret Noir and Vaccarèse) is assembled and aged further in cement tank. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Tasting Notes: Aromas of red berries, garrigue, light pepper. Bright and fresh, with flavors of raspberry and red plum. Extremely long finish. Winemaker: Corrina Faravel Price: $25 bottle/$270 case Suggested Food Pairing: Grilled Chicken or Steak Charcuterie Mediterranean Inspired dishes Domaine Maby La Fermade Lirac Blanc 2019 Region / Country of Origin: Lirac, Rhone France About the Winery: The Maby family’s roots in the region go back to the 19th century. Initially produced in the family home, the wine was sold throughout the region under the name of “Clos du Palai”, in reference to the location of the vineyards. After the Second World War, Domaine Maby was officially launched by Armand Maby, who developed a modern, functional winery and acquired new plots of vines.In 1946, the first bottles bearing the “Domaine Maby” label were produced. In the 1960s, Armand was joined by his son Roger and his sons-in-law. The estate was further extended, onto the Tavel appellation and also the magnificent pebbled terroir of Lirac. About the winemaking: Committed to organic viticulture, Domaine Maby favors natural methods in the maintenance of its vines.Each of the stainless steel vats in the Maby cellar is assigned to a plot, so as to adapt the vinification methods to the particularities of each type of grape or terroir. The temperature is controlled to the nearest degree, which guarantees precise management of the fermentation. The choice of a low temperature (11-14° C) for the whites and the rosés makes it possible to extract and preserve the aromas as well as possible. Tasting Notes: Composed of 55% Grenache Blanc, 15% Clairette and 30% Picpoul, the wine presents a bright, clear gold color with a greenish hue followed by seductive nose of yellow plums, apricots and flowery notes. Powerful on the palate with subtle aromatic presence. Great freshness and balance overall. Winemaker: Roger Maby Price: $24 bottle/ $259.20 case Suggested Food Pairing: Thai cuisine Grilled chicken skewers Fruit-centric desserts
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