Les Chemins de Bassac, Roussanne 2022

Quick facts:

Location: the village of Puimisson, Languedoc, Southern France

Owner & winemaker: Bruno & Thama Trigueiro

Vineyard area: 20 hectares (=49 acres), estate-owned

Vineyard management: certified organics and biodynamics

Soils: limestone and clay from ancient Quaternary alluvial terraces

Main varieties: Roussanne, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon

Annual production (approx.): 60,000 bottles

Winemaking: minimal—spontaneous fermentation, wines aged in various tanks. No fining, only a little sulfur at bottling.

Fun facts:

• Bruno & Thama, a former architect duo from Brazil, took the helm of the estate in 2016, fueled by the need to live a healthier life outside the hustle and bustle of Sao Paolo
• The domaine is quite an old one, established in the late nineteenth century as the main winemaking operation of the village, and it’s been organic for more than 30 years
• In 2019, the current owners converted the vineyards to biodynamics under Demeter certification and stopped using any additives in the cellar, save for a little sulfur at bottling
• This new era is of course reflected on the labels, too, such as the ancient cyanotype technique by the couples friend, artist Amélie Cordier, on the wines we’ve selected
• The name of the estate means “roads to Bassac”, referring to the name of the place where most of the estate’s vineyards are located

Grape: Roussanne

Vineyard: 15 years old vines on on limestone and clay originating from ancient Quaternary alluvial terraces at around 100 m altitude.

Winemaking: The grapes are gently pressed and a light debourbage by cold is made. The clear must is vatted for the fermentation which takes place in concrete tanks. After aging for 5 months the wine is bottled by gravity, without filtration or fining, with just a light sulfur addition.

FOOD PAIRING: all kinds of finger food and easy light dishes.

ORGANIC. BIODYNAMIC. NATURAL. LOW SULFITE. MINIMAL INTERVENTION. VEGAN.