Domaine South
French Wine Tasting
Featuring Profound New Arrivals from Stork Wine Co!
Special Guest, Perry Riddle
Friday, April 24th, 4 pm - 6pm
$20 per person
256-759-9952 to Reserve
Our story begins in the 1980s in worlds far apart but not that different. Olivier Richard was born in the Northern Rhone and grew up in a family of winemakers, and so Saint Joseph and Syrah flowed through in his DNA. Jeremy Meyer was born in Los Angeles and grew up with wine pumping through his blood as well - but that’s because his mother was one of the first female sommeliers in Los Angeles and began training his little palate while in utero - making sure there was plenty of French wine in his DNA too. Wine was a constant in Jeremy’s life, as his mother graduated from sommelier to Director of Southern California sales for Chalone wine group.
In 2011, Olivier contributed to the creation of a group of small organic and biodynamic producers and was in charge of the export. Jeremy began importing wines from Olivier to California in 2013. The two spent many nights drinking too much wine and singing together off-key while Olivier played acoustic guitar. They baked bread together, shared many meals and like many relationships in the wine business, became much more like family.
In 2020 Olivier decided to leave the group. The thought of no longer being able to see his American brother, visit the US market and the deep seeded fear of going long periods of time without In-N-Out inspired Olivier to create a company with Jeremy that would focus on the US territory; his favorite market.
Combining their unique backgrounds and knowledge of the French and US markets, they decided to create a company that can not only help winemakers find the right home for their wines, but also collaborate and work WITH the winemakers to build and market their brands in those unique markets.
The Wines
2024 Chateau Les Croisille Loin De L`Oeil, Gaillac, France $17.99
Gaillac is a wine region in southwestern France that it’s been said to be almost forgotten, but known for its ancient vineyards and unique local grape varieties, such as Loin de l’oeil.
Loin de l’oeil, also called Len de l'El, which means ‘far from the eye’ because the bunches have long stems far away from the buds, is a white grape variety that can produce a wine with freshness, good balanced acidity, rounded texture and elegance. Its aromas and flavours denote pear, white flower, apricot and a delicious splash of honey. This is a special glass of wine at any table.
Pair it with shellfish, creamy dishes, and goat cheese.
2024 La Mariota La Nereda Blanc, Languedoc, France $41.99
La Mariota is a relative newcomer, situated in the village of Vingrau, one of the best terroirs in the Roussillon. Cecilia Diaz and Guillermo Campos hail from Argentina; they met while working in Spain in the early 2000s. After looking for opportunities they came to the Roussillon for the weather and to be closer to their Spanish families. In 2015 Guillermo joined the brothers at Domaine Danjou Banessy and started a winemaker course, he also worked for Cyril Fhal at Clos du Rouge Gorge. In 2017 the couple found some land to work in Vingrau and Tautavel, starting with 6 varieties planted across 1.7ha. 2019 marked the first vinification “at home” in Vingrau, they now farm 8ha, including some new plantings. From the start they have worked in an organic way, wanting to produce wines with bright fruit, structure and freshness. They vinify as naturally as possible.
Grape variety: 50% muscat à petit grain, 50% Roussanne Average Age of Vines: 70 & 20 years Surface Area: 0.3ha Terroir: Clay & Limestone soils Exposition: North Altitude: 180m Vinification: Fermented with natural yeast - full malo. Ageing: 24 months, 12months in 400L barrels + 12 months in tank + additional 6 months in bottle. Alcohol: 12%
2024 Domaine South x Clos Roussely Orange, Loire Valley, France $18.99
Just arrived!! The latest in our Domaine South collab series! This lovely skin contact is a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Menu Pineau and 10% Chenin Blanc macerated on the skins for 3 weeks in tank. All fermented with natural yeast, and is bottle unfined and unfiltered. *Orange Wine*
Zesty experience, orange rind and juicy apricot aromas with light tannins, lively acidity, and refreshing tasting notes of orange peel, golden stone fruits, and earthy minerality.- winemaker
2024 Domaine Brazilier Coteaux du Vendomois Rose Gris Tradition, Loire Valley, France $18.99
VINE AGE 20 YEARS VARIETAL 100% PINOT D’AUNIS
This rosé is typical of Vendôme, its very pale color is partly due to the grape variety but also to direct pressing. Le Gris du Vendômois is a dry, light, fruity rosé with some peppery and floral notes (white peach, peony, rose).
Food pairings: charcuterie, mixed salads, spicy dishes, walnut and apple cakes.
The domain Brazilier is located at the heart of the Coteaux du Vendômois AOC, in Thoré-la-Rochette. The vines cover an area of 25 hectares and have been managed under sustainable values for many decades.
The Coteaux du Vendômois vineyard belongs to the large family of Loire Valley vineyards. The vines are planted on hillsides, near the Loir river. The terroir - made of clay and silt, with limestone outcrops in places – is very fertile. It is this original terroir which gives the Coteaux du Vendômois wines their minerality and typicity.
Benoît Brazilier represents the seventh generation of winegrowers in his family. In 1997, he set up as an independent winemaker, with his father Jean, now retired.
Since then, the entire vineyard has been organically farmed.
The Domaine Brazilier cellar is made up of multiple vats, both above ground and underground. Next to the winery, cellars dug into the rock are also set up for making wine.
2024 La Mariota Le Vols Des Etourneaux Rouge, Lanquedoc, France $39.99
La Mariota's "Le Vol des Étourneaux" is a red wine from the Roussillon region in France, crafted by Argentine vintners Cecilia Diaz and Guillermo Campos. The name translates to "The Flight of the Starlings," referencing the birds that flock to vineyards during grape ripening. This cuvée is a blend of Grenache Noir, Carignan, and Syrah grapes, sourced from vines averaging 50 years old, rooted in clay and limestone soils. The grapes undergo a short whole-cluster maceration of five days, followed by fermentation with natural yeasts. Aging occurs over four months in demi-muid barrels and an additional four months in tanks, resulting in a wine that's unfiltered and unfined, with a total sulfur dioxide content of 18 mg/L. The wine presents a lighter color but delivers robust flavors and textures, characterized by bright red fruit notes, floral aromas, and a touch of Mediterranean herbs. It's recommended to serve this wine slightly chilled, making it an excellent choice for spring and summer occasions.
2023 Domaine Hudelot Bourgogne Hautes Cotes De Nuits Colombieres. Burgundy, France $32.99
It is undeniable that Hautes Côtes wines have benefited from climate change, and we count on them for the best value for money in Burgundy . Thus, this vintage “Les Colombières”, from Domaine Patrick Hudelot , from vines between 25 and 35 years old, with this new vintage will surprise you with its fruity and finely structured aromatic structure. The balance is almost perfect. To be enjoyed young or aged for a few months.
The first vines of the Domaine Hudelot were planted in the early 1950s. It was expanded during the 1960s and today, has just over 20 hectares of vines in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits appellation. In 1986, with the arrival of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Patrick Hudelot first became aware of the importance of human impact on health and the environment. He decided to convert the estate to organic farming with the aim of respecting the land, the wines, the estate's staff, and the consumer.
SOIL LIMESTONE, CLAY AND MARL FERMENTATION GRAPES ARE SORTED AND TOTALLY DESTEMMED. THIS WINE IS NATURALLY FERMENTED IN TANK FOR 2 OR 3 WEEKS WITH DAILY POUNCH DOWN AND SOME PUMP OVERS TO HELP FERMENTATION. AGING 9 MONTHS IN STAINLESS STEEL TANK. FILTERED. UNFINED. SO2 70 MG/L AGING POTENTIAL 3-5 YEARS CASES PRODUCED 5 100 CASES TASTING NOTES Very soft tannins and fruity bouquet of black cherry