Domaine South
French Wine Tasting
Featuring Vineyard Brands Selections
Beautiful new wines from Savoie, Alsace, & Loire Valley
Special Guest, Phil Oreh
Friday, May 22, 4 pm - 6pm
$20 per person
256-759-9952 to Reserve
"In a world increasingly dominated by vast sums of capital and multinational firms, it is difficult for a small wine importer to survive unless that company has considerable expertise and an unwavering commitment to quality rather than quantity ... Imported by Vineyard Brands' is as close to a guarantee of quality as the consumer can expect."
The Wine Advocate
NV Amirault Cremant De Loire, Loire Valley, France $34.99
Our grandfather owned this plot in which he planted chenin blanc, known locally as Pineau de la Loire. This variety was abandoned for about ten years before we replanted it in our deep gravel soils, a warm terroir which favours an early harvest and lovely fruit. It is the gravel that makes our Crémant so unique because usually in the Loire Valley the chalk-clay soils of the Touraine or the schist soils of Anjou are planted with Chenin.
Some 20 years ago we also planted Chardonnay to give the Amirault Crémant Brut the perfect balance.
Viticulture
On this type of soil – deep gravel on a clay base – it is important to maintain a balance to ensure the vine does not succumb to the vagaries of the weather (drought, heavy rainfall). We achieve this balance by adding a small quantity of our own compost, prepared with biodynamic ingredients.
At the start of winter, we dig the compost in very close to the surface. In spring, the green cover, kept under control by the natural flora, has a greater influence on the rate of growth of the vine to produce wines which are very true to terroir. Likewise, to best respect the environment, Domaine Amirault reduces the usage of “Bordeaux mixture” by gathering its own mixture of plants (meadowsweet, nettle, dandelion and horsetail) which is infused and then sprayed.
Vinification and Ageing
Our aim is to harvest a perfectly healthy grape. The grapes are taken to our winery where the whole bunches are pressed. We make the wine using a traditional method and only the natural yeasts found in the vineyard. Each grape variety is vinified separately before they are carefully blended to give the Crémant du Clos des Quarterons its unique character.
To allow it to develop its fine bubbles, the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle before being left for at least 36 months on its lees.
2024 Denis & Didier Berthollier Apremont Falling Rock, Savoie, France $25.99
100% Jacquere from the French Alps. A vivid, alpine white from Savoie that shows crisp aromas of white peach, pear, citrus zest, and delicate white flowers, underpinned by a stony, limestone-driven minerality. The palate is light-bodied yet energetic, with brisk acidity, subtle orchard fruit, and a faint saline edge that carries through a clean, refreshing finish.
Food pairing: Aperitif, sushi, fried mussels, oysters, seafood, freshwater and sea fish, smoked fish, fried foods, sauerkraut, white sausages.
With Alpine classics melted cheese dishes like fondue or raclette, tartiflette where its acidity cuts through richness, but equally compelling alongside fresh oysters, mussels, or simply grilled lake fish with herbs.
Vivification: Falling Rock refers to the steep, limestone-rich slopes of the Savoie vineyards.
50 year old vines cultivated using organic farming methods (conversion in progress). Vinification without sulfur, very little added at bottling.
Aging in vats, bottled by lunar calendar.
2023 J. De Villebois Menetou-Salon Blanc, Loire Valley, France $24.99
Our Menetou-Salon is the newborn wine of the J. de Villebois Loire Sauvignon Blanc family !
Following its never ending quest of the Great Loire Sauvignon Blanc, with the addition of the Menetou Salon, J. de Villebois welcomes another prestigious appellation within its Loire Sauvignon Blanc family. Located in the famous “witch” area of the Berry, Menetou-Salon is a natural link between the Touraine and the Sancerre wines. For the second year, our J. de Villebois Menetou-Salon concentrates all the values of the J. de Villebois winehouse : aromatic intensity, cleanliness, zingyness, tailor-made ageing…
2023 Weinbach Les Vignes Du Precheur, Alsace, France $29.99
Grape variety: Co-ferment of 5 Alsatian grape varieties: 40% Riesling, 30% Auxerrois, 20% Pinot Gris, 5% Muscat, 5% Sylvaner
TASTING NOTES: Seducing floral nose with touches of peach and apricot. Offers a firm yet gentle mouthfeel, generously medium-bodied on the backbone of a crisp and elegant acidity. Ending on a persistent saline finish.
PAIRING: A welcome addition to any gathering, best served chilled as an aperitif and also with a refreshing lunch. Great with quiche, onion pie, fish terrine, cheese soufflé, light appetizers and grilled chicken.
TERROIR: “Prediger” (“the Preacher”) vineyard, located beneath the Grand Cru Kaefferkopf on sandy and clay stilts.
FARMING: In conversion to Organic and Biodynamic, Short pruning of the vines to keep yields low
PICKING: Hand-picked at optimum maturity to reinforce the aromatic expression and body of the wines
WINEMAKING: Gently pressed in whole clusters in pneumatic presses, fermentation with indigenous yeasts (element of the terroir, enhances depth and complexity in the wines) in old oak vats.
2023 Grosbois Cuisine De Mere Chinon, Loire Valley, France $22.99
Grape: Cabernet Franc. Soil: clay, limestone. Average Age of Vines: 15 years. Farming: organic. Harvest: by hand. Winemaking: destemmed, 12 day fermentation in open concrete tanks with indigenous yeasts. Aging: 8 months in concrete
Fining: none. Filtration: light filtration, Added S02: 30 mg/L
Nicolas came back to the vineyard in 2008, to take over for his parents, whilst bringing a new outlook and techniques from other wine regions – Southern France, Australia, New Zealand, United States, and Chile.
The wines are made from the Cabernet Franc grape called “Breton”, growing on limestone bedrock. The soils mostly consist of clay and limestone. A fragmented geography respected since the 15th century makes it possible to produce four vintages of character. Different soils modulate the personality of the wines. The gravelly soil of low hills gives fruity wines, where the top of the hill, the argilo-siliceous lands produce more structured wines. The know-how of Nicolas and the knowledge of his vineyards allows him to create distinct elegant, wines, while respecting the soil and the product through organic agriculture. The work of a winemaker is to adapt to the physical and climatic constraints, to question constantly, and thus, to uncover the character and personality of the terroir through the wines they produce.
2021 Denis & Didier Berthollier Granges Tissot Mondeuse, Savoie, France $49.99
This Mondeuse from Savoie is unique in that it is vinified 65% in barrels and 35% in terracotta amphorae, just as the Romans did 2,000 years ago. The amphora offers complete impermeability while still allowing the red wine to breathe. It is an ideal vessel for Mondeuse, as it softens the tannins while preserving the wine’s freshness and fruitiness.
The maceration is done without sulfur for 17 to 21 days. Aging then lasts a minimum of 18 months, always in barrels and amphorae.
The grapes are hand-harvested between mid-September and early October, depending on the year. The harvest is done in whole clusters, placed in 300 kg crates to avoid crushing the berries.
The berries are hand-sorted and 100% destemmed.
Bottling is done at the estate by our team, in accordance with the lunar calendar. This limited-edition cuvée is produced in small quantities, around 2,000 bottles per year.
The Vineyard:
Originally, this cuvée came from a parcel located "behind the barns," right next to the house of our grandfather, Marius Tissot. Today, it is a blend of our finest Mondeuse grapes, sourced from vines with naturally diversified ground cover. These "living soils" provide healthy nourishment for the vines, allowing us to vinify our wines without sulfur and produce balanced juices.
Our vines are farmed using organic practices, with elements of biodynamics incorporated.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Spicy, black fruits.
Palate: Blackcurrant, blackberry, cherry, slightly astringent, spicy.
Aerate for one hour before serving. Can be aged for 5 to 10 years.
Food Pairings:
This wine pairs beautifully with rich, saucy dishes such as coq au vin, pot-au-feu, or boeuf bourguignon, as well as with certain cheeses like our Tome des Bauges.