Saumur Champigny Clos de l'Echelier rouge

These wines are very popular with wine lovers, extremely tasty, fruity and dense, made mainly from Grenache, using biodynamic methods. "Domaine Gramenon, created in 1978, is located in Montbrison-sur-Lez in the Drôme Provençale, in the foothills of the Pre-Alps, at an altitude of 350 metres. In the northernmost part of the southern Côtes du Rhône. The originality of the Gramenon terroir comes from the limestone bar (tidal system) formerly covered by the sea (86 million years ago). The thrust of the Alps has caused a large amount of limestone to emerge from the layers of sand left by the tides, thus forming a plateau 550 m wide and with a slight altitude, while the clays have been brought in by the river system. Grenache is the grape variety best acclimatised to our latitudes, expressing itself here in elegance and freshness. Proof of this is the presence of numerous plots of old vines (from 50 to 120 years old). The cumulative influence of the age of the vines (and therefore of the deep roots) and the specific character of the soils, gives the wines a particular and original profile. In order to perpetuate the exceptional quality of the plant heritage, each vine planted comes from the estate's own massal selection. Since the creation in 1978, the vines have been cultivated in a natural and organic way. Nevertheless, the need to move towards biodynamic viticulture was felt. The first climatic accidents of the 2000s having impacted the vitality of the old vines, we started biodynamic practices and the Demeter certification arrived in 2010. The dynamisation of the soil and the strengthening of the plant's defences were immediate and very convincing. There is a new energy in the plots. This increased vitality at the plot level is reflected in the quality of the wines. The choice of harvest date is a crucial and determining point. The intrinsic quality of the grapes can only be expressed when they are truly ripe. The harvest is exclusively manual with careful sorting. The main idea is to respect the grapes as much as possible. To achieve this, no crushing equipment is used (pomace pump, auger). The grapes are transported by vibrating table and conveyor belt to the concrete tanks. We only sulphite very lightly after the malolactic fermentation if necessary. The wine is matured in vats for the Spring vintages and in old barrels for the old vines. Purity being the always unattainable and utopian goal of history, we strive to express the terroir and the grapes as closely as possible, while avoiding betraying them, by adapting to the effects of the vintage

EXCELLENCE IN SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY Thierry Germain has just obtained his 3rd star in the RVF, a well-deserved consecration when one sees the efforts, the quality of the work in the glass and above all the vision and philosophy of the man, among the elite of the winegrowers of the whole of France. Three components at the centre of his vision: - Man: for example, he accompanies his employees by bequeathing them land so that they can start to set up their own business - Animal : harras are being built to use horses on 100% of the estate, Thierry is a horse enthusiast - Vegetal: the estate is resolutely turned towards biodynamics and the revelation of the terroirs and each parcel. Restoration of biodiversity and an ecosystem specific to each parcel Thierry Germain is also trying to experiment with new ways of raising wine. He is currently making extensive use of Stockinger-type muids and is increasingly turning to experiments with Georgian amphorae. To be followed very closely..