Viognier 2024

With a rich and full intensity, this wine brims with notes of peaches, pears, elderflower and orange zest. It's waxy yet crisp texture adds a great complexity to the style which perfectly compliment its flavour profile.

Great with appetiser or starter wine pairing sensationally with salmon carpaccio, sea bass, chicken and pastas.

Best served at 10 - 13°C.

Located in the Hérault region along the Mediterranean Sea, the Domaine de Mont Auriol, originally a Royal Estate, has been owned by the Sarret family since 1488, spanning thirteen generations. The estate covers 350 hectares, with 110 hectares dedicated to vineyards, situated on a series of south-facing hills overlooking the Golfe du Lion.

The vines are canopy-trained, and no herbicides are used; instead, organic fertilizers and other sustainable, biodynamic practices are preferred. A mechanical harvest is conducted, followed by complete de-stemming and maceration and fermentation in stainless steel, concrete, and fiberglass vats. The wine further benefits from being bottled on-site at the domaine, ensuring it travels no further than their own plant.

• Organic - Independently Certified

• Biodynamic - Practising (Uncertified)

2* (Moving on up)
Domaine de MontMarin, nestled in the Herault region of Occitanie, France, has been under the stewardship of the current owners for 42 years. The vineyard spans 40 hectares with 20% dedicated to vines and 40% maintained as natural or semi-natural woodland. Their annual production stands at 6000 hectolitres.

The estate prides itself on its commitment to organic viticulture and is in the process of applying for the High Environmental Value (HVE) certification for 2024. With a clear focus on environmental sustainability, MontMarin ensures water conservation through efficient drip irrigation systems and the strategic planting of vines on clay-rich soils to minimise water usage.

The vision for MontMarin is to continue excelling in producing white wines and to enhance their cultivation practices to better adapt to organic standards. The estate faces challenges in expanding market share both domestically and internationally while maintaining their commitment to quality.

Their approach to biodiversity and soil health is rigorous, employing methods that foster a robust ecosystem and promote soil vitality without the use of synthetic chemicals. All viticultural practices are designed to respect and enhance the natural environment, including restricted use of sulphur for mildew control.

MontMarin’s winemaking philosophy is centred on minimal intervention, allowing the terroir to express itself through their wines. They use only organic and biodynamic yeasts and limit sulphur dioxide usage to ensure the natural characteristics of the wine are preserved.

As for social sustainability, the estate maintains strong community ties and ensures that all staff, permanent or temporary, are compensated fairly and have access to training and benefits. With a forward-looking sustainability plan, Domaine de MontMarin is actively working towards enhancing its ecological footprint, with initiatives like seeking the Bee Friendly certification to promote responsible agricultural practices that support local bee populations.

This commitment to sustainable practices across all areas of operation secures Domaine de MontMarin a 2* rating, recognising their efforts to maintain and enhance both the environmental integrity and the social fabric of their local community.

White | Still | 75cl | 12.5% ABV

Cellaring: Ready to drink now.