Domaine Saint Louis, Grenache-Marselan, Languedoc

Domaine Saint Louis Grenache-Marselan is a red wine blend from the Languedoc region of France, known for its fruit-forward and approachable style.

Grenache-Marselan is a perfect wine for lovers of big & bold reds. Combining the fruitiness of Grenache with the power of Marselan (a crossing of Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon) the nose is invitingly fruity with punchy aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, juicy raspberry and a floral note of violet too. The palate is rich and structured, but balanced with a good level of acidity.

Earthy and savoury on the nose with dark spices and dark cherries at play along with blackberries. This has Grenache brightness with some liquorice at play along with the richness and tannin profile from the Marselan. Something for everyone. This wine’s tasting notes are leaning towards medium bodied, low sweetness, with medium acidity, very fruity, medium tannins, medium alcohol and no oak.

Producer:

Carrière Pradal is a family winery located in the heart of the Languedoc. Catherine Carrière-Pradal and her son Baptiste are 7th and 8th generation vignerons who have focused on establishing a beautiful estate with a philosophy built around agroecology. They farm completely organically and regeneratively, meaning they care for all of the plants and animals which inhabit their vineyards, not just the grapes, believing that strengthening their biodiversity as a whole improves the wine; something we certainly agree with. The estate is spread across 60 hectares with a focus on varieties like Grenache (Noir and Blanc), Clairette, Bourboulenc and Picpoul as well as a mix of hedges, fruit trees and other trees planted in between the rows of vines.

The winery is certified organic as well as having a high regenerative score and steely determination towards biodiversity.

Aside from the efforts on the land, the family make wines under three different labels, with a focus from classic varieties like Sauvignon Blanc to producing off the cuff varieties like Marselan, which is a Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon cross. The vineyards see plenty of sun so there is a bright and sunny disposition to all of the wines along with plenty of character.

Regenerative viticulture, first introduced by Baptiste’s mother Catherine, has become central to the estate’s identity. The family are passionate pioneers of agroforestry, having planted over 4 km of trees and hedges among the vines, alongside olive groves, pomegranate trees, and truffle oaks that contribute to the farm’s biodiversity. These practices have a cooling effect by delaying ripening, regenerating the soil, and sequestering carbon.

Pairing:

Deeply juicy and beautifully balanced, this Grenache blend from Domaine Saint Louis is a real crowd-pleaser with no shortage of stunning flavours to savour. It’s a real champ of a food-pairing wine, too – we loved it with sausage, mash and gravy, but it’s also going to be fantastic with roast chicken or lamb dinners, lamb tagines and other hearty stews and casseroles, and vegetable hot pots featuring olives, tomatoes and Mediterranean herbs.

A great wine to pair with BBQ food or cheeses.