2023 Gramenon Poignée de Raisins
WINEMAKER: Michèle Aubéry & Maxime-François Laurent
REGION: Rhône, FR
VARIETY: Grenache, Cinsault
VITICULTURE: Biodynamic
"One of my absolute favourite wines to drink. A sensual and joyous blend of Grenache with a dash of Cinsault. The name translates to 'a fistful of grapes' and is produced from the younger vines on the original Gramenon estate. Here we have a red Côtes du Rhône that is refreshing, invigorating and very moreish. As bright and lifted as ever it is especially silky, lithe and most of all, delicious. So many try to make this style of wine and yet there is nothing like this; we never get as much as we want of this very popular wine so be quick !" - Andrew Guard
The iconic Domaine Gramenon originates back in 1978 when Philippe Laurent and Michele Aubery-Laurent purchased 12 hectares of vines and an old barn. The first wine produced was in 1979 and was the first vintage of their now iconic and cult 'Ceps Centainaires' This original part of the domaine is located at 300 meters above sea level on a rare limestone bench. Over the years the domaine has expanded to 25 hectares by planting more vines, purchasing 4.5 hectares of plots in Vinsobres in 1999, and land in nearby Valreas in 2007 (now sold) and Taulignan in 2019. Today the estate is run by Michele Aubery and one of her children, son Maxime-Francois Laurent. The estate is officially certified Biodynamic by Demeter (since 2009) but has been farmed in a bio-organic manner since the mid 1980's. As their vineyards are isolated from others they do not have to worry about any cross-pollution from their neighbours spraying.