Description

“Granit” is a rosé from Domaine des Pothiers, crafted from Gamay Saint-Romain grown on granite soils in the Forez mountains. The vines are hand-harvested, and the wine is made by a gentle saignée/direct press, then fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged 5 to 8 months in tank without additions – all to preserve purity and a sense of place.

In the glass, it’s a dry, crystalline rosé: fresh, floral and vividly fruity, with bright notes of redcurrant, strawberry and raspberry, lifted by a subtle mineral edge from the granite terroir. Light on its feet yet with enough texture to stand up to food, it’s wonderfully versatile

Domaine des Pothiers, which takes its name from the lieu-dit in which it is situated,  is one of the oldest, but also one of the most dynamic and exciting domains within the appellation. The Paires have been in Villemontais for over 300 years. The current incumbent, Georges, joined his father in 1974 and took control of the family domaine in 1978. Georges and Denise’s son, Romain, joined his parents in 2004 after completing his studies. In addition to making wine, they also raise Limousin cattle.

They work a total of nine hectares of vines, and all but 30 ares is owned by the family themselves. Whilst the majority of the vineyards are planted to Gamay Saint-Romain, they do also have just less than one hectare of Chardonnay and half a hectare of Pinot Gris will come into production in 2009. Everything here is hand harvested, with all the vineyards organic.

Some 30 kilometres north of the Côtes Roannaise appellation in the village of Saint-Nazaire-sous-Charlieu, situated on the opposite side of the Loire, the Paire’s have taken on the challenge of re-establishing an old parcel of Gamay. Planted before the last war, it had long been abandoned. They have been producing this under the Vin de Pays d’Urfé appellation since 2004, and are the only grower to be active here. Unlike the Cote Roannaise, the soil on the right bank of the river is more limestone and clay and offers a completely different profile to the Gamay grown here.

All the wines are certified organic and biodynamic since 2010