Grenache
75cl * 16.0% ABV * Banyuls, Roussillon, France
The Banyuls Cru Vineyard is located in the far south of France at the meeting point between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. This is the driest and sunniest part of France, with an average of 325 days of sunshine a year and where La Tramontane (the northern wind), blows one day in every three, regardless of the season. This appellation exists exclusively for the production of Vin Doux Naturel (VDN), the naturally sweet wine. The main grape variety here is Grenache Noir. Banyuls, a bit like Port, comes in various styles; White, Ambres, Rosé, Traditionelle and Rimage.
The vines are planted on terraces on steep shale hillsides, from the seaside to the bottom of the valleys of the hinterland. The wines in the Cornet & Cie range have in common a pure and intense aromatic expression. Made with 100% Grenache, the vines are carefully selected for a pure and intense aromatic expression. With extremely low yields and harvest as late as September, the grapes are carefully selected to bring a natural sweetness to the wine, similar to a Tawny Port. The juice then undergoes a long maceration of 20 days and aged in oak to soften the wine and add flavours of sweet spice.
The result is intense red cherry and raspberry jam with notes of stewed fruits, dark chocolate, sage, and sweet spice that linger on the finish. This wine is well balanced, full bodied and fruity, and match well with sweet and sour cooking, blue cheese, chocolate and red fruit desserts.
Serve at 14°C.