From: Ténarèze, Gascogne, Armagnac, France
Varietal: 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 15% Syrah
Taste: Red wines from Gascogny are far rarer than their white counterparts. These rare red gems comprise only 10% of the total production from the area, which may seem at odds with its location, as this part of France isn’t too far from Bordeaux (less than a 2-hour drive south from Bordeaux). This red captures the typicity of red wines from the region: Cool red and black fruits, touches of soft spices like cinnamon, and a hint of smokiness right at the outset of the wine that blows off with a bit of air. Once this wine starts to open, ripe raspberries and black currant notes meet a distinct undercurrent of minerality, wet stone, and pepper. This little charmer is all about bistro vibes and calls for another glass with a plate of chicken liver pâté and croquettes de courgettes (zucchini fritters).
Pairing: This red will shine at any cocktail hour or evening where you’ll be snacking and zhuzhing your way through the evening. Olive tapenade, steak tartare, chicken liver pâté or mousse and croquettes de courgettes (zucchini fritters), as we’ve mentioned above, smoked salmon or sardines Rillettes, pâté en croute, duck confit salad, and even pissaladière (Provençal flatbread with olives) are all fantastic pairing partners to this charming, cool-fruited red wine.
About. Fifth-generation winemaker Philippe Fezas of Domaine Chiroulet likens great wine to music: “The more notes there are, the more beautiful the symphony.” He crafts wines bursting with a dynamic range of flavors and textures while maintaining remarkable affordability.
Located in the gently rolling hills of Armagnac country in Southwest France, Domaine Chiroulet draws its name from *chiroula*, Gascon for “whistling wind,” which ventilates the vineyards in this sunny region. The soils here – a mix of fine clay, limestone, and chalk – infuse the domaine’s renowned white wines with mineral-driven zest.
The Côtes de Gascogne IGP covers approximately 12,000 hectares, spanning the Gers department and parts of Landes and Lot-et-Garonne. This area has been cultivated since Roman times, with its transitional terroir shaped by Atlantic maritime influences to the west and a warmer, drier continental climate to the east. Clay-limestone soils dominate inland, while sandy, well-draining soils characterize coastal zones.
