From: Languedoc, South France, France
Varietal: Muscat Petits Grains, Grenache Gris
Tasting Notes: This unique and clean skin-contact wine perfectly embodies the character of an 'orange' wine with a beautiful copper-orange hue. On the nose, it presents very pretty dried spice and flower aromas, along with a bouquet of grapefruit, juniper berry, and candied citrus. This wine exudes the essence of Southern French wilderness, with sun- kissed citrus and spice. The palate is a perfect equilibrium of fruit to savory components, complemented by notes of honeysuckle and citrus. The acidity is well-balanced, and a satisfying touch of tannin mid-palate adds a nice textural edge.
Pairing: Orange wine's acidity and refreshing quality make it a versatile companion for bold flavors such as seafood, poultry, and spicy foods. It pairs wonderfully with eggplant with walnuts, grilled octopus, and roast or caramelized root vegetables. Indian curries rich in turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, Moroccan tagines, and savory Spanish-style tapas also complement its unique character. Additionally, strong cheeses and charcuterie are excellent choices to enhance the wine's distinctive profile.
Roasted Squash With Turmeric-Ginger Chickpeas
By Yewande Komolafe
About. Family-owned since its inception, Bernard Coste is the 11th generation in charge of Domaine Montrose. His son Olivier joined him in 2009. Together, they utilize 300 years of history and tradition to produce wines of elegance and excellence. The domaine is located in Côtes de Thongue, in the Languedoc region, just a few kilometers from Pézenas and the Mediterranean Sea. Côtes de Thongue is a small appellation made up of about fifty producers.
Here's an interesting fact: the producers of this wine appellation, including Domaine Montrose, have chosen to decline the official AOC certification. This bold decision is a testament to their desire for creative freedom, allowing them to produce wines that truly reflect their unique vision. The appellation's Mediterranean climate, characterized by cold and dry winters, hot and dry summers, and humid springs and falls, provides the perfect environment for the Montrose vines. These vines are nurtured on soils typical of the region, including Villafranchian terraces (small round pebbles), clay-limestone, and basalt.
Domaine Montrose has 80 hectares of vines grouped around the estate. The estate is named after its location, on a volcano (mont), and after the pink-blossomed (rose) almond trees bordering the property. Even today, a lane of almond trees still leads to the estate, and others grow on the slopes between the vines.
Both Bernard and Olivier Coste live on the estate. During the harvest, where a whole year's efforts can be dashed in a single momentary lapse of concentration, this is essential and one of their strengths. Throughout the year, they continually improve every aspect of their property and ensure a healthy environment. Committed to protecting the biodiversity of its vineyards, they planted 21 different species of Mediterranean trees and now have 1,053 trees on the property. These trees and their ecosystem help the healthy management of the vineyards. In addition, grape marc is
added to the soil to lighten and nourish it. Mechanical tools are used to remove any weeds. Rather than chemical treatments, Pheromone dispensers prevent worms from attacking the grapes. Strips of grass are left to grow in and around the vines, allowing plant and animal life to develop.
The elegance and authenticity of Montrose wines result from the harmonious balance between the diversity of its soil, the benefits of the Mediterranean climate, and the know-how acquired by the Coste family from one generation to the next over 300 years.
Wine Notes: Lumen's philosophy revolves around early picks, sourcing fruit from certified sustainable and organic vineyards, maintaining high natural acidity, using low sulfites, and practicing extremely low-intervention winemaking. They believe the most balanced and memorable wines come from fruit picked early in the harvest calendar, resulting in livelier, more complex wines with lower alcohol content worthy of cellaring. Their commitment extends to farming their vineyards organically and being a member of 1% For The Planet, donating 1% of all sales to environmental causes. Additionally, Lumen's Solis wines are sourced from partner wine growers rather than estate fruit, ensuring high-quality grapes from trusted collaborators.