2022 Domaine de Courbissac “L'Orange”, Minervois, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

L’Orange Courbissac, orange wine, organic wine, natural wine, subtle, grapey, very fresh, uplifting, delicious entry point to orange wine. The charm of this orange wine made in minuscule quantity in the Languedoc is in the natural, light grapeyness. This comes largely from the Muscat in the wine. It has fresh and floral aromas which balance perfectly the more savoury elements of orange wine. L’Orange Courbissac is a perfect summer wine, with olives or light salads, some smoked fish or even a few red grapes and cheese.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Domaine de Courbissac, Langudeoc. Brunnhilde Claux runs the tiny 5 hectare farm of Domaine de Courbissac in Cesseras, in the heart of the Minervois. It is a region famous for its schist soils and deep, rich but sometimes rustic red wines. Brunnhilde has uncharacteristic 'Terroir', Grenache, Mourvedre and Carignan on clay and limestone and Syrah on sandstone soils. This unique 'Terroir', and the height of her vines create elegant Minervois wines. The work in the cellar is minimal save for a rigorous selection of only the plumpest, juiciest berries for the top 'Cuvee', Roc Suzadou. The do a spontaneous fermentation, either whole bunch or partially de-stalked and without any oxygen. The fermentation is all in concrete or barrels and the wines are naturally clarified and matured in barrels. These are pure southern French wines at their best and most elegant. Domaine de Courbissac is excellent value for money for the quality and purity of the wine. In Bordeaux, this level of quality would be three times the price. These are bottles that will age very well too.