Collection: Domaine de Ferrand

What makes the wines of the Rhône so special?

The answer, my friends, is blowin' in the wind.

Life in the Rhône Valley is at the mercy of the infamous mighty wind, Le Mistral, aptly named from the old Occitan word meaning "masterly". Known at times to reach speeds of up to 180km/h, but still give the vines a beating on even its less impressive days, winemakers have learnt to adapt to the strengths this prevailing force: the excellent clothes drying conditions don't just blow away any chance of rot or mildew developing on the vines and blow away the clouds for lovely sun to ripen the berries, but the winds can literally blow the flowers off the vines early in their development. This reduced yield is associated with more intensely flavoured fruit.

And what better homage than to name a wine after the masterly wind. Domaine de Ferrand's fruit-forward Côtes du Rhône "Mistral" certainly will blow you away for its price.

The domaine, which lies both across the Côtes du Rhône and the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellations, has been in the Bravay family since the 19th Century, and boasts some of the oldest Grenache in the area. The current custodian, Phillippe Bravay, who bottled his first vintage in 1997, practices organic farming, and assists the Mistral in keeping yields to a minimum. Vinification is traditional and intervention is minimal with open top fermenters, basket presses and cement tanks.

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape comes from the Chemin Saint Jean lieu-dit, keeping good company with neighbours Marcoux and Charvin. But for those really wanting to appease their CNDP taste on a CdR budget, the old vine Grenache in the Côtes du Rhône blend is grown literally across a small country road, placing it just outside the Châteauneuf limits, and whilst it might not come with the papal novacastrian status, it tastes just as de-vine.

Although only a few will ever get to enjoy these wines as the domaine is very small (only 5 ~ ha in Châteauneuf du Pâpe and 10 in Côtes du Rhône, which over half is on vines approaching 100 years old) they are well worth the hunt.

All the vines are situated in the lieu-dit Chemin Saint Jean, the same Northern holy grail as Charvin, Beaucastel, Marcoux and La Vieille Julienne.

Current custodian Philippe Bravay uses organic growing techniques and limits yields severely (his Côtes du Rhône yields less than 2 tonnes to the acre, and the Châteauneuf du Pâpe much less) vinification is traditional: open top fermenters, basket presses, and cement cuves.

Following some excellent press in the past few years, these wines have started to be hoarded by trophy collectors but remain excellent value.

The Côtes du Rhône vines were planted between 1933 and 1946, and consist of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. It is quite unbelievable just how good these are.

France's appellation laws, whilst quite brilliant, can be frustrating for some, including Philippe Bravay - a little country road acts as a separation point that prevents these vines from being able to produce Châteauneuf du Pâpe. They are fantastic Côtes du Rhônes!

Winemaking: Natural indigenous yeasts only. Maceration 'à froid' for 2 days to avoid explosive start to the fermentation. Mostly ferments at 27/28o with 30o max. Remontage morning and afternoon for 6 days of 25% of the volume of the cuve, 20 day cuvaison follows. Press wine assembled at the start. Racked once after alcoholic fermentation and again after malolactic fermentation ‚– then not touched. Prefers to keep max amount of C02 possible during elevage. Bottled in May after 20 months with no filtration but light fining. Cuvaison and elevage is all in tank (either cement or stainless steel). - Importer Note