Domaine de la Vallongue, Les Baux de Provence,AOP, Pierres Cassées, red, organic wine, 2017, from € 21.35

The name of this organic wine reveals that the Domaine de la Vallongue Les Baux de Provence AOP Pierres Cassées red has grown on stony ground, to which it  owes part of its high quality.

Organic wine - profile

• Color: intense, deep dark, purplish-ruby red color.
• Nose: delicious red wine from the Les Baux de Provence appellation. It takes you to the vineyard called "broken stones" (Pierres Cassées) - in which old vines are rooted deep in stony, mineral-rich soil. From here comes the mineral notes, which are complemented by a rich and complex bouquet of black currants, blackberries and nuances of vanilla, spices and delicate notes of oak barrels in which this wine lingers for some time.
• Mouth: velvety, concentrated texture with a wonderful play of elegance, ripe fruit and fine spices ending in a long finish.
• Drink recommendation: Enjoy it now at 16 ° C or up to 9 years from vintage.

Organic wine - preparation, Domaine de la Vallongue, Les Baux de Provence, AOP, Pierre Cassées, red

Since the Grenache grapes ripen earlier than the Syrah grapes, the start of the harvest for each variety is given only when they are optimally ripe. The grapes are harvested by hand and brought in small containers for wine production in the nearby winery. Here, the stems and panicles are separated from the berries first. This is followed by 3 to 4 weeks fermentation of the mash in stainless steel tanks. Then the wine is separated from the pomace (berry skins and kernels). Soon after, malolactic fermentation begins, converting the malic acid into lactic acid. This is a mandatory process for red wines, which makes them appear rounder and fuller in flavor. The aging of the young wine (75%) is also done in stainless steel tanks and only (25%) in 225 l oak barrels. During this ripening period, the wines refine themselves, without assuming an excess of woody flavors, but gaining in complexity.

The organic wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine, dry
• Production area: Les Baux de Provence
• Winery: Domaine de la Vallongue
• Grape varieties: Syrah 70%, Grenache 30%
• Aging: matured in stainless steel and barriques
• Bottling: at the Domaine de la Vallongue
• Quantity: 0,75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2017
• Shelf life: until 2024
• Alcohol: 14 % vol.
• Suitable for vegans
• Allergens: contains sulfites
• Certified FR-BIO-10
• We obtain this wine directly from the Domaine de la Vallongue in 13810 Eygalières, France
• For more information and photos from Domaine de la Vallongue

Domaine de la Vallongue, Les Baux de Provence AOP, Garrigues, white, organic wine, 2022, from € 16.55

The name Garrigues means shrub heath which spreads a spicy herbal scent. Very often vineyards are in the midst of such garriques, which allows the grapes to take on this scent. This Domaine de la Vallongue Les Baux de Provence AOP Garrigues white could be influenced by it.

Organic wine - profile:

• Colour: A beautiful bright yellow dress with a bright green reflection for this Baux de Provence.
• Nose: an elegant and expressive nose on white fruits, pretty floral notes of hawthorn and lemon and flint aromas aftertaste.
• Serving: This wine goes well with red mullet fillets with tapenade or fresh goat cheese

Organic wine - processing, Domaine de la Vallongue, Les Baux de Provence, AOP, Garrigues, white

With the quality level "Garrigues" - whether white wine, rosé or red - the quantity harvested in good normal years is limited to 40 hl per hectare by an appropriate size. In 2022 also a long period of drought and great heat ensured an exceptionally small crop of only 13 hl / ha. A quantity that falls below the cost of production.

Each of the three grape varieties is harvested separately due to the different ripening times. Then, the grapes are gently pressed and macerated for one hour with the skins at low temperature, with a preliminary clarification in progress. The following alcoholic fermentation is carried out at a temperature of 15-17 ° C to preserve the fresh and fruity aromas. The young wine is put back in stainless steel tanks until the bottles are filled in spring.

The organic wine at a glance

• Wine type: white wine, dry
• Production area: Les Baux de Provence
• Winery: Domaine de la Vallongue
• Grape Varieties: 1/3 Grenache Blanc, 1/3 Clairette Blanche, 1/3 Rolle.
• Maturation: matured in stainless steel
• Bottling: at the Doamine de la Vallongue
• Quantity: 750 ml0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2022
• Shelf life: until 2026
• Alkohol: 13 % Vol.
• Suitable for vegans
• Allergens: contains sulfites
• Organic wine certified FR-BIO-10
• We obtain this wine directly from the Domaine de la Vallongue in 13810 Eygalières, France

For information and images of Domaine de la Vallongue

Domaine de la Vallongue, Les Baux de Provence, AOP, Garrigues, rosé, organic wine, 2022, from € 14,80

This organic wine Domaine de la Vallongue Les Baux de Provence AOP Garrigues rosé was named Garrigues - translated into English is a shrub heath, in which wild, fragrant herbs, flowers and bushes grow spreading their spicy herbal fragrance generously. Grapes growing in the vineyards amidst such garrigues may develop also such spicy notes.

Awarded organic wine

90/100 points by James Suckling for the 2022 vintage
90/100 points by James Suckling for the 2023 vintage

Organic wine - profile

• Colour: Glossy light pink.
• Nose: This classic bright rosé reveals a potpourri of different red berry scents on the nose, with scents of tangerines and roses.
• Mouth: In the mouth and on the palate I find this wine both fresh and fleshy, with a hint of orange peel, the scents perceived with the nose contribute to the harmonious appearance of this wine, which ends with a nice length.
• Drinking Recomendation: Serve at 10 to 11° C, this high-quality rosé offers the perfect pleasure - please never serve it colder! Goes great with a seared tuna or chicken grilled with lemon and thyme.

Organic wine - processing, Domaine de la Vallongue, Les Baux de Provence, AOP, Garrigues rosé

In a small harvest of only 40 hl / ha, the content of vitamins and minerals in the grapes is much higher than for larger harvest volumes as it is allowed and achieved for example in Germany of an average with approximately 100 hl/ha. Consequently wines are tastier and more valuable at lower yields.

The grapes for this rosé wine were pressed immediately after harvest directly decanted cold and performed fermentation at low temperatures. In the usual red wines malolactic fermentation was dispensed with in favor of clarity and freshness in the wine.

The organic wine at a glance

• Wine-Type: Rosé wine
• Region of production: Les Baux de Provence
• Producer: Domaine de la Vallongue
• Grape varieties: Grenache, Syrah, Counoise, Cinsault
• Fermented and aged: in stainless steel vats
• Bottling: at the Domaine de la Vallongue
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Jahrgang: 2022
• Shelf life: 3 years from vintage
• Alcohol: 13 % vol.
• For vegans suited
• Allergenes: contains sulfites
• Certified FR-BIO-10
• We source this wine directly from the Domaine de la Vallongue in 13810 Eygalières, France

For information and images of Domaine de la Vallongue

Domaine de la Vallongue, Les Baux de Provence, AOP, Garrigues, red, organic wine, 2020, from € 15.75

The name Garrigues means shrub heath, which spreads a spicy herbal fragrances. Very often there are vineyards in the middle of such garrigues, which allows the grapes to take on this scent. This organic wine Domaine de la Vallongue Les Baux de Provence AOP Garrigues red could be influenced by it.

Organic wine - profile

• Colour: Beautiful bright ruby red color with purple hues
• Nose: Aromas of ripe fruit and spices
• Palate: Supple organic red wine, nicely balanced between body and freshness. It has complex aromas of red fruits and spices, cherry and strawberry, notes of garrigues, rosemary and pepper. Still young, but already with melted tannins promote a pleasant finale. It is a wonderful Mediterranean organic red wine with marked personality!
• Drinking recommendation: Enjoy it now with 16° C or up to 10 years from vintage

Organic wine - preparation, Domaine de la Vallongue, Les Baux de Provence, Garrigues, red

At the quality level "Garrigues" - be it the white wine, the rose or this red, the crop is limited by appropriate pruning to 40 hl per hectare. By comparison, German winegrowers are allowed to harvest up to 100 hl / hectare for so-called quality wines (QbA). Of course, there are also in Germany winemakers who strive for better quality and limit the harvest quantities as well. The different grape varieties are not harvested at the same time due to the different maturity. The maceration / fermentation lasts 3 to 4 weeks each. Only after the fermentation has been completed are the wines of the individual grape varieties combined, depending on their quality, into a harmonious blend and matured in stainless steel tanks.

The wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine
• Production area: Les Baux de Provence
• Winery: Domaine de la Vallongue
• Grape varieties: 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% others.
• Fermented and aged: in stainless steel vats
• Bottled: at the Domaine de la Vallongue
• Quantity: 0,75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2020
• Shelf life: until 7 years from vintage
• Alcohol: 14 % vol.
• Allergens: contains sulfites
• Certified FR-BIO-10
• We source this organic wine directly from the Domaine de la Vallongue in 13810
• Eygalières, France.

For information and impressions of Domaine de la Vallongue

Château La Dorgonne, Côtes du Luberon, organic wine, red, 2016, from € 14.50

Of course, as Germany's first organic wine importer, we have known for a long time that organic growing really matters, so there's nothing random about choosing our wines. So it is with this organic wine Côtes du Luberon of the Château La Dorgonne Côtes du Luberon AOP, red, organic wine, fulfills our criteria in an ideal way, as you can see from some photos taken on site

Organic wine - profile

• Color: lively, very dark carmine ruby ​​red
• Nose: already the aromatic fruity-spicy fragrance arouses great curiosity on this organic wine. You can not wait to taste it too, and then the expectations are exceeded!
• Mouth: a rich potpourri of aromas of red and black forest berries, with hints of roasted almonds and nuts, sweet spices and a hint of roasted coffee. On the palate velvety with ripe "fine-grained" tannin, which gives this convincing wine structure, perfect harmony and a hardly endendenden reverberation.
• Drinking recommendation: let this organic wine from a particularly good vintage breathe before drinking in a carafe or in the glass. The ideal drinking temperature is between 17 and 19 ° C. It harmonizes due to its intense character to well-seasoned Provencal cuisine, e.g. Leg of lamb from the Luberon peppered with garlic and seasoned with herbs of Provence), but also to an entrecôte or boar back he would fit well.

Organic wine - preparation, Château La Dorgonne, Côtes du Luberon, AOP, red

Depending on the quality of the grapes and the location of the vineyards, the grapes are harvested mechanically or manually, the berries are separated from the branches and panicles. Then fermented in the mash. After alcoholic fermentation in a stainless steel tank, this red orgainc wine is transferred to large wooden barrels without the lees and yeast that have settled in the fermentation tank. This is followed by the malolactic fermentation and the maturation of the wine.
 

The organic wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine
• Production area: Luberon, Provence
• Winery: Château La Dorgonne
• Grape varieties: Grenache Blanc, Rolle und Rousanne
• Fermentation and aging: in stainless steel and wooden barrel
• Bottling: Château la Dorgonne
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Vintage: 2016
• Shelf life: 8 years from vintage
• Allergens: contains sulphites
• Certified by FR-BIO-01
• This wine from Provence is sourced directly from the Château La Dorgonne, 84240 La Tour d 'Aigues in France

For information and images of Château La Dorgonne

Château Romanin Alpilles IGP red, biodynamic wine,  2020, from € 12.90

The biodynamic wine  Château Romanin Alpilles IGP red is "only" a local wine, but of far above average quality. A quality that derives from biodynamic production according to Demeter guidelines, which requires a particularly careful work in the vineyard. It is a valuable and very pure organic wine from young vines that wash outside the AOP zone. The crop has been limited to increase its quality.

Biodynamic wine - profile  

• Color: brilliant garnet color with violet reflections.
• Nose: The nose is decidedly fruity. The aromas of strawberry, black currant and blackberry harmonize wonderfully with notes of cherry and liquorice.
• Palate: on the first touch it my mout, I liked the mild, delicate and likeable impression that this wine conveys. On the palate it is open, supple and long. I was happy to feel the aromas of red fruits, red currants, black
  currants, blackberries, combined with liquorice and toasted notes.
• Tasting tips: This cuvée goes perfectly with an orange duck marginet accompanied by a gratin dauphinois. You can even extend the pleasure of this biodynamic wine to dessert with a chocolate fudge and English cream.
   

Biodynamic wine - processing, Château Romanin, Alpilles IGP, red

The biodynamic working method is not new at Château Romanin, since it was introduced in 1988. At the time of planting, the different soils characteristic of the vineyards of Château Romanin make it necessary to choose the grape variety best adapted to each parcel. ground. This is a prerequisite for the production of organic wines of good quality, as well as low yields. This is precisely the approach in which Château Romanin fits. This should not overshadow the importance of the work of the vineyard. In other words, the size in winter, the binding of shoots in spring and the thinning of shoots and grapes during the growth and ripening phase. In viticulture and biodynamic winemaking, all stages of wine production take place according to astral activities. In the cellar or cellar, human intervention is limited as much as possible. The stems are removed from the berries, fermentation is done spontaneously with endogenous yeasts. The young wine is then aged for a few months in stainless steel vats. Shortly before bottling, this red wine is slightly filtered, and some sulphites are added to limit the oxidation.

The wine at a glance

• Type: Red wine
• Area of production: Les Baux de Provence, south of Saint Remy de Provence
• Producer: Château Romanin
• Grape variety: Syrah
• Aging: Stainless steel tank
• Bottling: Château Romanin
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Vintage: 2020
• Tasting Tip by 2026
• Alkohol: 14% vol.
• Allergens Contains sulphites
• Organic certified FR-BIO-01
• biodynamic certified by Demeter
• We source this wine directly from the Château Romanin 12310 Saint Remy de Provence, France

For information and images of Château Romanin

Château Romanin Le Cœur de Romanin, Les Baux de Provence AOC,  biodynamic wine, red, 2016

The biodynamically produced Château Romanin Les Baux de Provence AOC Le Cœur de Romanin is an organic wine of the absolute top class. It owes its existence to a good vintage with ideal weather conditions, as well as every imaginable care in the vineyard and in the cellar.

Biodynamic wine - profile  

• Colour: Le Cœur (heart) de Romanin shows a deep ruby ​​red colour.
• Nose:The Cœur de Romanin spreads intense and surprisingly diverse aromas of dark chocolate, coffee, leather, which soon ripe with aromas of black cherries, dark berries and spices such as mint and a touch of incense into a symbiosis.
• Palate: Very rich and complex wine with lots of fruit, good structure, velvety soft, a fine nuance of wood and almost hidden mineral notes. Its meltingly soft, concentrated tannins ensure a long wine life. It’s a lively organic wine and biodynamic wine with a beautiful long finish. Its aging potential we estimate at 10 to 15 years.
• Grape varieties: Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache.

Biodynamique wine - processing, Château Romanin, Le Coeur de Romanin

The manually very carefully picked grapes for the Coeur de Romanin come from the best parcels of the Château Romanin. They were freed from the stems before they are fermented (3 weeks for Cabernet Sauvignon) and (4 weeks for Syrah and Mourvedre) in a traditional mash fermentation. During this time the mash or the must was regularly stirred and circulated, so that the on the Most floating marc (grape skins) in which polyphenols, flavors and tannins are better solved and can pass into the must / wine. Immediately after the alcoholic fermentation, follows the malolactic fermentation, in which the malic acid contained in this organic wine is converted to lactic acid. The subsequent aging takes place in large oak barrels and in barriques of different ages and duration.

The biodynamic wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine, dry
• Grape varieties: Syrah, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache.
• Production area Les Baux de Provence, south of Saint Remy de Provence
• Quanity: 0.75 l
• Vintage: 2009
• Shelf life: until 2030
• Aging: in large barrels of oak and in barriques
• Closure: natural cork
• Producer and bottler: Château Romanin, 12310 Saint Remy de Provence
• Allergens: contains sulphites
• biodynamic wine certified FR-BIO-01, member of Biodyvin and Demeter
• We obtain this organic wine directly from the Château Romanin at 12310 Saint Remy de Provence, France

For information and images of Château Romanin

Château Romanin, Alpilles IGP, rosé, biodynamic wine, 2023, from € 12.90

IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée) is a protected designation of origin with geographical indication - formerly Vin de Pays. In this case, it is the Alpilles, a small and limestone mountains south of Avignon. On its slopes, the grapes froeurish for the Château Romanin Alpilles IGP rosé.

Biodynamic wine awarded

Bronce medal by DECANTER for the vintage 2022

Biodynamic wine - profile  

• This is what it looks like: Raspberry pink with a nice sheen.
  This is how it smells: The nose is aromatic with notes of red fruits such as wild strawberries and gooseberries.
• This is how it tastes: lively and tasty on the palate with juicy aromas of red cherries and blackcurrants, which in combination with the aromas of citrus fruits lead to a long finish and make you want to take the next sip.
• My drinking recommendation: This cuvée goes perfectly with aperitifs on a sunny afternoon or evening with tapas or with a chocolate cake (Sacher cake).

Biodynamic wine - processing, Château Romanin, IGP Alpilles Rosé

The different grape varieties for this Demeter organic wine are each harvested by hand at a perfect degree of ripeness and then cooled to 10 ° C for 24 hours in a cold chamber and then selected again. The grapes are pressed lightly and slowly; during a short maceration at 10 ° C, the must clears itself and forms enzymes that ensure clear fruity notes in the wine and reduce the need for sulphurisation. Then the must is separated from the solid components of the grapes and fermented at 18 to 20 ° C in stainless steel tanks. The lactic acid fermentation that usually follows is suppressed by means of cold. The wine is then matured for five months on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks with repeated stirring. Then this wine is only lightly filtered (without proteins of animal origin) and bottled.

The biodynamic wine at a glance

• Type of wine:  rosé
• Region of production: Saint Remy de Provence
• Varieties: Grenache 65 %, Mourvedre 23 %, Cabernet Sauvignon 12 %.
• Producer and bottler: Château Romanin
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2023
• Shelf life: 2026
• Alcohol: 13 % vol.
• Suited for vegans
• Allergens: Containes sulfites
• organic certified FR-BIO-01 as well as from Demeter et Biodyvin
• We source this wine direct from Château Romanin, 12310 Saint Remy de Provence, France

For information and impressions of Château Romanin

Domaine Les Béates white, Côteaux d'Aix en Provence AOC, organic wine, 2019/21, from € 17,40

The Domaine Les Béates white is a very excellent organic wine made from handpicked grapes from older vines with a small harvest. Logically, such valuable grapes are processed into wine in the cellar with special care. The aging in large oak barrels also adds to the complexity of this wonderful white wine.

Organic wine - profile

• Colour: Light golden hues with white reflexions.
• Nose: Rich scent of white peach, acacia flowers and freshly baked baguette.
• Palate: Opulent with soft fruit flavours and  a slight touch of yeast.
• Grape varieties 60 % Rolle, 40 % Ugni blanc.
• Alccol : 13% vol..

Organic wine - processing, Domaine Les Béates, Côteaux d'Aix en Provence, white

The grapes are harvested accordingly to the parcel's overall maturity. After maceration and fermentation, the wine ripens nine months in oak barrels with a capacity of 500 liters on the fine yeast with regular stirring. This long contact with the yeast gives the wine a long life without the excessive use of sulphites.  Afterwards this organic wine has been slightly filtered and bottled.

The organic wine at a glance

• Wine type: white wine, dry
• Production area: Côteaux d'Aix en Provence
• Winery: Domaine Les Béates
• Grape varieties: 60 % Rolle, 40 % Ugni blanc.
• Maturing: in a large barrels
• Bottling: Domaine Les Béates
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Closure: cork
• Vintage: 2019/2021
• Shelf life: 6 years
• Analysys: Alcohol: 13 % vol., residual sugar 1.4 g/l, Acodidy total 3.12 g/l, PH 3.34, SO2 total 54 mg/l.
• Allergens: contains sulphites
• Vegan suited
• Organic wine certified by FR-BIO-01
• We source this white wine directly fro the Domaine Les Béates, 13410 Lambesc, France

For information and images of Domaine les Béates

Domaine Les Béates, Côteaux d'Aix en Provence AOC, organic red wine, 2017/19, from € 17,40

With Aix en Provence, the twin city and partner University of Tübingen, we have beautiful memories that we regularly renew with visits to the surrounding organic food, including the Domaine Les Béates. We are convinced that here is the best organic wine of the Appellation. This includes the Domaine les Béates red,  organic wine. A guarantor of this is the winemaker Pierre-François Terrat, a tireless fighter for true, genuine organic wines and a very personable person.

Organic wine - profile

• Colour: Deep Dark organic wine from one of the best vintages of the last decade!
• Nose: Intense and complex aromas of black currants, blackberries, grilled red peppers, herbs de Provence, sustainably spicy.
• Palate: Encouragingly open and accessible, just as people in Provence. Very powerful, with body contour and structure. This red wine is silky smooth and round in the mouth, with a long aftertaste. An organic wine that will be a long time remembered.

Organic wine - processing, Domaine Les Béates, Côteaux d'Aix en Provence, red

The grapes, which are harvested by hand in fully ripe condition, are separated from the stems and panicles and fermented for 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the grape variety and vineyard conditions. The maturation of the young wine takes place partly in large oak barrels and one-year barriques and lasts 3 to 6 months. After another rest period of several months in a stainless steel tank, the "assemblage" and the bottling are followed.

The wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine
• Production area: Côteaux d'Aix en Provence
• Winery: Domaine Les Béates
• Grape variety. Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Aging: in large barrels and one-year-old barriques
• Bottling: Domaine Les Béates
• Quantity : 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
  Vintage: 2017/19
• Shelf life: until 2029
• Analysis 2019: alcohol 14.65% vol., residual sugar <0.2 g/l, total acidity 3.34 g/l, pH 3.62, SO2 total 36 mg/l.
• Allergens: contains sulphites
• Organic certified FR-BIO-01
• This organic red wine is obtained directly from Domaine les Béates in 13410 LAMBESC, France

For information and images of Domaine les Béates