I NEWS I Malartic
I NEWS I Malartic retains big ambitions five generations on from when it was founded Tracing its history back five generations, Domaine de Malartic is a family estate with ambitions to keep on developing. Founded in 1901, the estate originally focused on producing an Armagnac and an aperitif, and used to sells its grapes to a co-operative. But since 2001 it has been making its own wine, which is popular in southwest France, while sales are also made in other French regions and in export markets such as Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Ireland. As well as its wines, Domaine Malartic continues to produce Armagnac and Floc de Gascogne aperitif, which is a blend of young Armagnac and grape juice. Hélène Périssé, who manages the estate's commercial and administrative operations, said the domaine was keen to increase its bottled wine production. "We bottle about 60% and the rest we sell in bulk. We're hoping once we develop we will sell the whole in bottles. That's why we are at the fair, to develop," Hélène added. "They're very fruity and quite easy drinking wines. The main product is a dry white, which is very flavoured. It's very aromatic. You can smell some pineapples, citrus fruits." If the weather is favourable, which has not been the case for the past two years, the estate has sufficient production for 500,000 bottles, if everything is bottled. Hélène said the prices of the domaine's wines were very competitive, with some bottles starting at €6 including taxes. "We have a new harvest so we can let them try it. We sell young wines. With harvest [20]22 it's already been bottled," she added. "It's important for us to come and let them try the new year. We made some new contacts as well. And the other advantage was to communicate with our colleagues. "Every year we feel happy when we are here. This year my feeling was the meetings were of [high] quality. Covid is over and people want to start again with sales and consumption" Next generation of young winemakers are at Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023 Quentin Cecchini took over his grandfather's vineyard Châteaux La Hourcade with his partner Judith just over a month ago. The young couple attended the trade as Vinegron Independant (Independent Winemakers) to present their three red Cabernet-Sauvignon cuvées - Grand Vin de Bordeaux, Cuvée Vielles Vignes and Les Médulli. Located in Médoc, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the vineyard's terroir benefits from a unique geological phenomenon. Many years ago, the land on which the Domaine resides was an island in the middle of the river La Gironde. Its soils are therefore composed of gravel and sediment deposits, forcing the vines' roots to dig deep for water. The third generation winemakers' presented their Cuvée Vielles Vignes, made from the 50-year-old vines, which were originally planted by Mr Cecchini'ds grandfather. vines and left them to my father who built the domaine and now it's my turn.” They also presented their cuvée Les Médulli, named after the first inhabitants to the region, thousands of years ago. Speaking at the trade show, Judith said: "We are looking to modernise our wines by offering a wider range of cuvées which can be enjoyed on their own or with a tasty meal." Mr Cecchini, who trained as a biochemist, practices small batch winemaking using environmentally friendly methods. The 20 hectares of wines are side by side and surrounded by forest, making it easier to transport the grapes during the harvest. Two of the young winemakers cuvées have received awards, including a Vinalies and Feminalise and they are already planning another for next year "I hope to honour my grandfather who founded the domaine. He planted the 4 • THE DAILY • THURSDAY 23 RD FEBRUARY 2023 wineparis-vinexpo.vinexposium-connect.com
I NEWS I Mirabeau’s award-winning wines were at Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023 © Maison Mirabeau Gascony sisters make wine with a feminine touch The vineyard showcased its versatile Mirabeau range of premium AOP Rosés, the innovative Atelier Mirabeau selection and the Riviera inspired pale pink Gin. Domaine Mirabeau, which includes 14 hectares of AOP Côtes de Provence vineyards, has adopted a regenerative approach to winemaking. Owners Jeany and Stephen Cronk decided to donate 50% of the profits from their first cuvée, La Réserve, a limited edition, complex gastronomic rosé wine, to their Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, which serves as a platform for information and research. They say: "We’ve got so much to learn, and a very long journey ahead of us, but we are lucky to be connecting with Regenerative Agriculture and permaculture experts from around the world to support us on this journey, including from the UK, USA, Australia and France." Located 13km from the historic village of La Garde-Freinet, in the commune of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez, the domaine falls within the newly created subregion within the Côtes de Provence AOC, Notre Dame des Anges. The 20-hectare estate includes 14 hectares of vines, principally grenache, cinsault and rolle, enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers, bright sunlight and a prevailing easterly wind. Unlike the rest of the region, which is dominated by low, soft-leaved, known as garrigue, this part of Provence is noticeably different, with evergreen maquis scrubland and stony terrain formed from pink sandstone and sandy soils. The domaine is always looking to innovate, having launched its Prêt-a-porter range with our G&T Cans, Belle Année cans two years ago. Its award-winning wines are now selling in 50 countries and have become a household name in the United Kingdom, Holland, Australia and more recently the United States Sisters and 8 th generation winemakers Karine and Amélie Castets, who took over the Chateaux Fitère six years ago, presented their Alto range at Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023. The vineyard which historically made rich Madiran (AOC) wines has diversified over the past 20 years into a Gascony Domaine with a wide range of cuvées. "We were at the trade show to present our new organic range, Domaine LaCave Alto in rosé and red Côte de Gascogne." While the sisters' Alto rosé is made with Cabernet, the Alto red is produced with Tannat, the same cépage as the Madiran wines, but using a different vinification process. Its name, the sisters explain, is relevant in more ways than one. On the one hand, it refers to the vineyard's elevated location - perched on the hill of Cannet. On the other, it sounds like the French word for taking a break, the perfect moment for a glass of wine. Finally it also draws a parallel with high notes in the world of music, which reflects the taste of this wine. "The area is famous for its rich Madiran wines, but we wanted to make something slightly different, a wine with a more feminine taste, made by women." The vineyard's plots, which extend over 100 hectares, are southern facing, planted on clay and limestone soils, overlooking the Pyrenees. The sisters were also presenting a wide range of other cuvées at the trade show, including Madiran and Pacherenc du Vic- Bilh THE DAILY • THURSDAY 23 RD FEBRUARY 2023 • 5
