Château Saint Jean Lez Durance, Pimayon blanc Pierrevert AOP,  organic wine, 2019, from € 13.20

The Château St. Jean Lez Durance Pierrevert AOP Pimayon blanc with its greenish-golden color, we recognize the modern winemaking method in this white organic wine. The grapes used for this wine come from the bew vigneyard called Pimayon in the appellation Pierrevert AOP, through which a unique aromatic diversity has been achieved. The young winemaker Jean-Guillaume knew how to integrate the light, fruity components into a relatively full-bodied wine. Very remakably.

Awarded organic wine

Gold medal Concours général agricole Paris 2019
 

Organic wine - profile

• Colour: Greenish shimmer with golden reflections
• Nose: fine, elegant, freshly scented with white flowers, butter biscuits and mineral notes.
• Mouth: Lively with subtle, well-integrated acidity, aromas of fresh almonds and olives. Long lasting taste. Serving suggestions: Serve at 10 to 12° C, Fits for starters, vegetable or potato gratin, fish and white meat, young hard cheese
• Vegan suited

Organic wine - processing, Château Saint Jean les Durance, Pierrevert, AOP, Pimayon, white

In September, even the higher parts of Haut Provence can still be quite hot. Therefore, the grape harvest is done by hand and machine from the late evening till complete darkness at cooler temperatures. The grapes are transported as quickly as possible to the nearby winery. There, the berries of the Grenache and Cinsault-grapes are completely separated from stems and panicles, then pre-clarified in cold maceration. This is followed by alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperature. During a ripening period on the lees, this organic wine is stirred regularly, then lightly filtered and bottled.

By the way: Nearby is the Lac des Vannades, an artificial lake created in 1989 by the dredging of the gravel in the riverbed of the Durance. Today, the lake serves holiday makers and recreation seekers as a bathing lake. Another attraction is the nearby Gorges du Verdon.  For hikers, climbers or kayakers and nature lovers a worthwhile  destination. By the way, you could visit the Château Saint Jean-Lez Durance, hand over a greeting from us, taste wines and take a bottle or two with you.

The wine at a glance

• Wine type: white wine, dry
• Production area: Provence Pierrevert
• Grape varieties: Grenache blanc 30 %, Roussanne 20 %, Viognier 50 %
• Winery: Château Saint Jean Lez Durance
• Maturation: matured in a stainless steel tank
• Bottling: at the Château
• Quantity: 0,75 l
• Vintage: 2019
• Shelf life: until 2024
• Suitable for vegans
• Allergens: contains sulphites
• Certified organic FR-BIO-09
• We source this wine this wine directly from the Château Saint Jean lez Durance in 04100 Manosque, France

For information and images of Château Saint-Jean Lez Durance

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 la Marseillaise, IGP de Var Merveillement, white, biodynamic wine, Demeter, 2022, from € 16,55

It is said that biodynamically produced wines have a certain something that other wines lack. It's hard to describe, perhaps it's the complexity and harmony of the Domaine la Marseillaise IGP de Var Merveillement wine that exemplifies it? Judge for yourself, we are curious about your opinion.

Speaking of IGP or country wine: Why is this wine "only" a country wine? Not because it is less good than an AOC (quality wine), but because the Viognier grape variety was also used, which is not permitted for an AOC wine from the Côtes de Provence appellation and is therefore not typical. However, this does not detract from the quality of this biodynamic wine!

Biodynamic Wine - Profile  

• This is what it looks like: light straw yellow
• This is how it smells: intense, spicy-fruity bouquet with floral accents
• This is how it tastes: full-bodied, creamy and soft on the palate with intense fruity aromas and a lot of taste that lasts for a long time
• My recommendation: enjoy this white organic wine at a temperature of 10 - 12° C from a large glass in which its aromas can develop better than in a small glass.

Biodynamic wine - Elaboration, Domaine la Marseillaise, IGP du Var, Merveillement, blanc

The vineyard soil, which contains clay and sand, and the vines growing on it are cultivated and cared for with the greatest care according to the principles of biodynamic agriculture according to Demeter. The vines are 20 years old (Ugni Blanc) and 5 years old (Vermentino and Viognier). The grape harvest, an average of 50 hectoliters per hectare, is carried out by hand and brought to the winery in 20 kg containers, where they are immediately destemmed, lightly crushed and macerated for a short time in contact with the skins of the grapes. The fermentation starts spontaneously with the grapes own yeasts. It lasts 4 weeks at a fermentation temperature of 18 to 20°C. This biodynamic white wine then matures for 3 months in stainless steel tanks on its fine lees, which is stirred regularly. It is not clarified with agents containing protein, but only lightly filtered before bottling.

Find out more about the production of biodynamic wine in the organic wine lexicon.

The biodynamic wine at a glance

For information and photos of the Domaine la Marseillaise

• Wine type: white wine, dry
• Growing area: Provence
• Winery: Domaine la Marseillaise
• Grape varieties: 50% Viognier, 25% Vermentino, 25% Ugni blanc
• Aging: aging in stainless steel tanks
• Bottling: Domaine la Marseillaise
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Analysis: Alcohol: 13.578 % vol., residual sugar 1.34 g/l, acidity total 3.16 g/l, PH 3.4, S" 49 mg/l
• Vintage: 2022
• Shelf life: 4 years from vintage
• Suitable for vegans
• Allergens: contains sulfites
• Organic wine certified FR-BIO-10
• Biodynamic wine cetified by Demeter
• We obtain this red Demeter organic wine directly from Domaine la Marseillaise, 986 chemin de la navarre, 83260 La Crau, France.

Domaine les Patys, Ventoux AOC, Eugénie, white, organic wine 2020/22, from € 10.55

The Domaine les Patys Ventoux AOC Eugénie white, is an organic wine from Provence that is so harmonious and balanced that you can serve it universally with all light dishes, summer dishes, starters, fish, white meat or asparagus.

Organic wine - profile

• Color : straw light
• Nose : delicate scent of white flowers, white stone fruit with a hint of citrus fruits
• Mouth : very harmonious and smooth on the palate with a nice freshness
• Recommendation : serve at 7-9 ° C. Goes well with starters, fish from the grill or from the pan.

Organic wine - processing, Domaine les Patys, Ventoux, AOC, Eugénie, white

The Mediterranean vines grow in vineyards on a slight slope and facing south on clay limestone soils covered with pebbles and weathered scree from Mont Ventoux. The grapes are harvested mechanically at an earlier stage of ripeness. This is followed immediately by pressing the grapes and the fermentation at low temperatures.

Le wine at a glance

• Type of wine: white
• Région of production: Ventoux, Rhône
• Producer: Domaine les Patys
• Varieties: Grenache blanc, Roussanne, Clairette
• Fermentation and aging: in temperature controlled stainless steel vats
• Bottling: Domaine les Patys
• Content: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2020/22
• Shelf life: up to 4 years from vintage
• Alcool: 13.5 % vol.
• Suited for vegans
• Allergenes: contains sulfites
• Organic certified: FR-BIO-01
• We obtain this organic wine directly from the Domaine les Patys, 2969, Route des Héritiers 84410 Bédoin, France

More information and photos of Domaine les Patys

Château Romanin, Les Baux de Provence, biodynamic wine, white, 2021, from € 23.20

The Château Romanin Les Baux de Provence AOP white is an  organic wine from bio-dynamic production of very special quality, because it is produced only in particularly good years and strictly selected grapes. The Château Romanin Les Baux de Provence white wine is thus high quality and valuable white wine at a relatively low price.

Awarded biodynamiic wine

Decanter gold medal for the vintage 2022
TERRES DE VINS gold medal for the vintage 2022

Biodynamic wine - profile

• Color: white golden colour
• Nose: white flowers (honeysuckle), then notes of quince, tangerine and strawberries.
• Mouth:full and mineral, with nice aromatic roundness with fine accent of fresh bread crust and a pleasant, long finish.
• Serving suggestion: This wine will combine perfectly with sea urchins, oysters, caviar or scallop mussels or high-quality fish in creamy sauce.

Biodynamic wine - processing, Château Romanin, Les Baux de Provence, white

A prerequisite for producing high quality wines is a lower yield, which is intended in the Château Romanin. The grape picking was manually performed. Afterwards, the grapes were sorted again on the conveyor  belt, the whole grapes were then pressed slowly, followed by pre-clarification at 10° C and the alcoholic fermentation at 18 to 20° C in stainless steel tanks. The malolactic fermentation, which then normally started, was suppressed to preserve the freshness of the wine.The maturation of this wonderful white organic wine on the fine yeast took 5 months. During this time a regular batonnage (stirring) was applied, which gives the wine deeper and more complex flavors, as well as a better shelf life.

The biodynamic wine at a glance

• Wine type: white wine
• Production area: Les Baux de Provence, south of Saint Remy de Provence
• Producer: Château Romanin
• Grape varieties: Rolle 69%, Roussanne 24% et Clairette 7%.
• Aging: in stainless steel tank
• Bottling: Château Romanin
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2021
• Shelf life: until 2027
• Alcohol: 13,5 % vol.
• Vegan
• Allergens: contains sulphites
• Certified organic FR-BIO-01
• Château Romanin, member of Biodyvin and Demeter
• We obtain this biodynamic wine directly from the Château Romanin at 12310 Saint Remy de Provence, France

For information and images of Château Romanin

Domaine Les Béates - Les Béatines, organic wine white, 2022, from € 12.55

The Domaine Les Béates Les Béatines organic wine white, like its red counterpart, has a particularly good price / quality ratio. The winemaker Pierre-François Terrat takes the view and acts accordingly that his "entry-level wine" must be a figurehead for his winery.

Organic wine - profile

• Colour: pale straw yellow
• Nose: exciting clear, pure and delicately scented, this organic wine calls for being enjoyed
• Palate: on the palate and tongue diverse, fine fruity aromas with spicy notes that are accompanied by a slight mineral note. This gives this organic white wine from the Provence a certain southern lightness with freshness, finesse and harmony.

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

The vineyards of Domaine Les Béates are either right next to the winery or a maximum of 5 minutes away. This is a great advantage if the manually harvested grapes are to be sent to the winery for further processing as soon as possible. because this is the first step to avoid premature oxidation of the grapes and the juice spilled from the berries, or to prevent them from doing so with sulfur powder. The grapes are harvested manually by type and processed separately. They are separated from the panicles and pressed immediately. The fermentation starts spontaneously with the grapes' own yeasts at a controlled temperature of 18 ° C. The varietal wines are matured in stainless steel tanks. It is only shortly before filling in bottles that the cuvée is put together to achieve the best possible harmony.

The organic wine at a glance

• Wine type: white wine
• Production area: Côteaux d'Aix en Provence
• Winery - Producer: Domaine Les Béates
• Grapes: 50 % Vermentino 40 % Ugni blanc, 10% Grenache blanc.
• Fermented and aged: in stainless steel tank
• Bottling: Original estate bottling
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Closure: cork
• Vintage: 2019
• Shelf life: until 2024
• Analysis: alcohol: 13.4% vol., residual sugar 0.2 g/l, total acidity 2.96 g/l, pH 3.44, total SO2 72 mg/l.
• Allergenes: contains sulphites
• Vegan suited
• Member of AB, a French Association for Organic Agriculture (Agriculture Biologique) in France
• We buy this organic wine directly from Domaine Les Béates in 13410 Lambesc, France

More information and photos of Domaine Les Béates

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, LOU O'RANGE, Côteaux d'Aix AOP, organic wine orange, 2021, from € 14.40

If you have never heard of the term ORANGE WINE or do not know what it means, then I would first like to reassure you that it is not a wine made from oranges.

This is also the case with the Domaine Les Béates LOU O'RANGE, Côteaux d'Aix AOP, organic wine orange

Rather, it is a winemaking technique in which white grapes are treated like red grapes for red winemaking. The skins of the berries are injured using a so-called grape mill, which means that part of the juice runs out, which then macerates and ferments for a longer or shorter time with the skins, i.e. in the mash. Depending on the grape variety and the duration of this process, the originally white juice takes on the color of the grape skins, which are rarely clear and light in color. Consequently, the appearance and taste of this type of wine is unusual. This is what wines might have looked like in earlier centuries.

Organic wine - profile

• Colour: slightly amber
• Nose: The nose expresses a lot of fullness, ripe fruit, honey
• Flavour: the mouth is very fresh, a slight bitterness supports a long acidity that gives it a lot of character and drinkability.

Vinification of organic wine, Domaine Les Béates, LOU O'RANGE, Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, orange

Destemming the grapes and maceration in 600 liter tanks. Spontaneous fermentation, daily brewing by hand. Assembly of three macerations of 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. Pressing with a small vertical manual press with a wooden cage.

Ageing: Maceration of three months and 6 months in Tuscan jasse of 300L. High maceration of 1 month, then in egg-shaped vats of 600L on the fine lees for 6 months

The wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine
• Growing area: Côteaux d'Aix en Provence
• Winery - producer: Domaine Les Béates
• Grape varieties: 50% Rolle (Vermentino) 30% Ugni Blanc, 20% Grenache Blanc.
• Vinification: in stainless steel vats
• Bottler: Domaine Les Béates
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Vintage: 2021
• Shelf life: 5 to ten years from vintage
• Analysis: alcohol 12.29% vol., residual sugar 0.2 g/l, total acidity 3.40 g/l, pH 3.32, SO2 total 32 mg/l.
• Allergenes: contains sulphites
• Organic wine certified by FR-BIO-01
• We obtain this wine directly from Domaine Les Béates, Clos Saint Elrad, 13410 Lambesc, France

For information and images of Domaine Les Béates

Domaine de Marcoux, Châteauneuf du Pape, AOC, organic wine, white, 2019
 

Unfortunately, there are only very few bottles of this excellent Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf du Pape white, because the white vines cover only 6% of the vineyards.

Organic wine - profile

• Color: light as straw
• Nose: enchanting, fruity bouquet of light stone fruits such as apricots, mirabelle plums, white peaches, with notes of citrus fruits.
• Mouth: isurprisingly fresh, lively, fruity and opulent, velvety, smooth in the mouth, also dense and concentrated, some acidity and mineral and aromatic aromas contribute to a beautiful structure and a long finish.

Awarded organic wine

16 points Jancis Robinson
91 points VINCOUS

Organic wine - production, Domaine de Marcoux, Châteauneuf du Pape, white

The following grape varieties are permitted for the production of the white Châteauneuf du Pape: Roussanne, Grenache blanc, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Clairette and Picardan.

For this vintage, Rousanne grapes were used, grown on half a hectare of the vine-yard "les esqueirons". which were planted in 1987 on the western slope of the
village hill. The Bourboulenc grapes come from the "les bousquets" vineyard. Some Clairette and Grenache Blanc grapes come from several scattered small plots, but they make up only 2% of the total.

The soils in the vineyards consist of clay, colluvium and chalk lime from the Barremic period.

The harvest is done manually in boxes of 50 kg. In the cellar, the grapes are pressed immediately, the juice is poured into stainless steel tanks, cooled so that the
solids settle and can be removed. The alcoholic fermentation can finally start with natural yeasts at a control of the temperatures around 17 ° C. As soon as the alcoholic fermentation is complete, the coarse yeasts are removed and the wine continues to mature on the fine lees lees in stainless steel tanks and vats. After about 7 months it is bottled.

The wine at a glance

• Wine type: red wine
• Growing area: Rhône
• Winery - Producer: Domaine de Marcoux
• Grape varieties: 69 % Roussanne, 29 % Bourboulence, 2 % Clairette und Grenache Blanc.
• Fermentation: in stainless steel vats
• Aging: in stainless steel vats
• Bottling: Domaine de Marcoux
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Closure: natural cork
• Vintage: 2019
• Shelf life: until 2026
• Allergenes: contains sulphites
• Alcohol: 14.5 % vol.
• Suitable for vegans
• Organic certified FR-BIO-01
• We source this organic wine directly from France

For information and photos from the Domaine de Marcoux

Château La Canorgue, Viognier, IGP de la Mediterranee, white, organic wine, 2022/3, from € 14,55

It is mainly thanks to Jean Pierre Margan who shaped the style of this wine made from the Viognier grape variety. It is a grape variety native to the vineyards along the Rhône and its tributary valleys, producing the best wines here. The Château La Canorgue Viognier is a silky smooth white wine, distinctive with complex fruit aromas. His daughter Nathalie has been refining the style of the wines for several years.

Awarded organic wine

Gold medal Concours de vins d'Avignon
Gold medal challenge international Gilbert & Gaillard 2020
Gold medal Challenge international, Concours grands vins de France Macon

Organic wine - profile

• Colour: straw-light with greenish reflections
• Nose: intense scents of tropical fruits, almost exotic, with floral notes
• Palate: The current vintage of this white wine presents itself in the glass with complex and rich flavors. It is elegant and harmonious. A white wine with style and class, fine fruit, subtle acidity and a long finish.
• Tasting recommendation: Serve at 8 to 10 ° C, it goes very well as an aperitif or combine with poultry with morels.

Organic wine - processing, Château La Canorgue, Viognier, IGP Méditerranée, white

Organic viticulture has been practiced in the vineyards of Château La Canorgue since the 1970s, including elements from biodynamic viticulture. The harvest volume of the grapes, which were harvested manually at night at cool temperatures, was very low at 30 hl/hectare. This beautiful white wine is correspondingly tasty. This manual work costs significantly more than mechanical harvesting, but it ensures that only good grapes and nothing else end up in the wine press. The grapes are then lightly crushed so that some juice comes out and the so-called mash is created, which is cooled and macerated for a few hours. Fermentation takes place with the grapes' own yeasts (spontaneous fermentation) under a CO2 atmosphere in order to prevent contact with air and to be able to limit the addition of sulfite to a minimum. This white organic wine matured for 2 months in wooden barrels on fine yeast. This increases its flavor intensity and shelf life.

 

The wine in a flash

• Wine type: Dry white wine
• Region: Vaucluse, Luberon, Rhône
• Wine estate and bottler: Château la Canorgue
• Grape variety: Viognier
• Aging: 2 month on its fine yeast (sur lies fines)
• Quantity: 0.75 l
• Stopper type: natural cork
• Vintage: 2022/3
• At its best: Now to 5 years from vintage
• Analysis 2023: Alcohol 13.81 vol., rediual sugar 0.3 g/l, acid volatile 0.26 g/l. acid total 3.21 g/l, SO2 free 14 mg/l, SO2 total 63 mg/l
• Allergenes: contains sulfites
• Suitable for vegans
• Organic wine certification FR-BIO-01
• We source this organic wine directly from the  Château La Canorgue, 84480 Bonnieux, France

For information and images of Château La Canorgue