Posts Tagged natural wine
Domaine de Souch, Béarn, Jurançon, South-West France
Posted by Naturalist in Natural Wines on February 19th, 2009
Bearn-Basque Country
Following the death of her journalist husband, at the age of sixty, Yvonne Hegoburu, manager of Château de Viaud (Lalande de Pomerol), decided to plant vines on 6 hectares of her property in the south west of France Domaine de Souch in Laroin. She opted for a number of the area`s traditional grape varieties- Petit Manseng (70%), Gros Manseng (20%) and Courbu (10%).
Yvonne HegoburuYvonne planted her vines , on a site where vines had been planted from at least the 16th century. But in 1940 the vines were left to die, when the men went off to war, to Germany or into the Resistance. It was decided the slopes were too steep for even young women to cultivate.
She also embarked upon work of monumental proportions- 13,000 trellis posts made from trees cut down on the estate driven into terraces carved out by bulldozer. She also equipped herself with bladder-type pneumatic press, de-stemmer and temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. That was in 1985. The first harvest in 1990 was already very promising. Since 1994, the vineyard has been tented in line with the principles of biodynamic viticulture which exclude the use of any chemicals, pesticides or herbicides.
Yvonne Hegoburu
In just a few years, Domaine de Souch has acquired a reputation as one of the best in its appellation. Yvonne Hegoburu sees it as an intellectual initiative, almost a vocation; “Here in the South West of France, where the wind from spain mingles with the fragrances of the ocean, Yvonne Hegoburu does everything within her power to ensure her grapes are happy”. Taken from the “Vignerons Independants” – November 2001
Yvonne appeared in the famous wine documentari MondoVino, where she is quoted as saying, ‘I planted vines when my husband died. Ever since then, all this love inside me, I give it to the vines. I talk to them. I have an exchange with them’.
Upon tasting it become apparent that both grapes and wines are extremely grateful to her for all the “maternal” care she has given them.
Domaine de Souch
805 chemin de Souch
64110 Laroin
Tel: 05.59.06.27.22
Cuvee Marie Kattalin
Domaine de Souch MARIE KATTALIN Jurançon South West France 2004
Shimmering bronze in colour! Voluptuous nose with intense fragrances of citrus and flowers and yellow fruits confits (orange blossom, lemon, grapefruit, melon, quince, fishing, lychee, etc …) and delicious shades of vanilla. Fresh and clean. A rare sweet nectar! Great bottle! 100% Petit Manseng
Domaine La Marèle, Argelliers, Languedoc, France
Posted by Naturalist in Natural Wines on February 18th, 2009
Frédéric Porro
Frédéric Porro, once “The Hope of French Motocross” (same generation as Bailye, several time world champion), saw his career end at the age of eighteen after an accident which left him Tetraplegic…
After many years of hoping to get back on the motorbike, it is in the vineyard that Frédéric will find his new passion, but it is not easy to start in this industry “people were trying to discourage him; never directly, always asking - Are you sure?”. However, a lot of work, studying and dedication see the Domaine la Marèle born in 2000.
At Argelliers the micro-climate is very specific, not ideal to produce quantity. The difference of temperature night/day is very high, so the maturation of the fruit is very slow. However, that allow the grapes to slowly come to maturity, better than other part of region, and the result is, when the wines are driven to produce low yield, an exceptional finesse and elegance as well as purity. His philosophy? Not to make wine the way everyone else does and concentrate on a small production of very high quality. At the Domaine nothing is done in a hurry. The harvest is done manually, when Frédéricthinks his vines are ready. The grapes are then taken to the cellar in small baskets; there the berries are carefully selected, then the vinfication takes place in barrel.
Domaine La Marèle Vin de Pays d’Oc Argelliers Languedoc France 2004
On the nose aromas of candied fruit and leather with woody notes. Powerful, long and persistent finish. Already in good taste, it is best to be kept between 5 to 10 years. Blend of 65% Syrah, 20% Cab. Sauvignon, 8% Carignan, 7% Grenache.
34380 ARGELLIERS
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