Overview
Situated in Beaumes de Venise, Domaine La Ligière is a biodynamic and organic vineyard which consists of 60 hectares of vines, 30 hectares of which are planted in AOC Vacqueyras. For 5 generations, the Bernard family cultivated the land for grape vines and other agricultural products, but it wasn’t until 2008 when Philippe Bernard and his wife Elisabeth Serra started producing wine from their own grapes. The vineyard is planted with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre vines that are about 50 years of age on average (and up to 75 years on the oldest plot). Domaine La Ligière has been committed to cultivating their vines without the use of fertilizer, weed killer, or any chemical treatment whatsoever for over 10 years. The soil is plowed regularly and fertilized with organic compost in the fall, and the harvest is protected only with the use of natural products such as sulfur, copper, plant infusions (nettle, horsetail, wicker, etc), and biodynamic preparations.
The Vacqueyras Terroir
A particular composition of vineyard plots…
These plots were very precisely defined by the INAO, the “Institut des Appellations et de la Qualité” (the French appellations and quality institute), in 1990 when Vacqueyras was promoted to the rank of “Cru”. This “terroir” of 1,390 hectares is made up of numerous plots, often of small size, spread over the two districts of Vacqueyras and Sarrians and laid out in terraces.
The wines fully express the identity of the Vacqueyras “appellation”, The Strength and The Balance. Anyone, even non professionals, tasting the wine will always pick up these two complementary traits which are behind the perfect result. Powerful yet finely woven tannins, a developed spicy nose, and always fresh on the palate with a gentle finish.
Beaumes de Venise Rouge
Varietal Composition: 60% Grenache (40 years old), 40% Syrah (40 years old)
Soil: Sandy-clay and limestone
Average Yield: 35 hl/ha
Harvest: Manual harvest; grapes are completely destemmed
Vinification: Fermentation using natural yeasts. Maceration for 4-5 weeks. No filtration or fining. Contains sulfites.
Annual Production: 7,000 bottles
Tasting Notes: Situated at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, the terroir of Beaumes de Venise gives complexity and freshness to this wine, along with aromas of dark fruit and good structure. Between the Cotes du Rhone and the Vacqueyras, this Beaumes de Venise has found a beautiful balance.
Food Pairings: This is the perfect accompaniment to red meat, duck, or rabbit dishes.
Alcohol Content: 14%
Serving Temperature: 18-20°C
Cellaring Potential: 8-10 years
2016 Reviews: “The concentrated, cherry-berry-scented 2016 Beaumes de Venise Les Garennes…remains a fine effort, graced with delicate herbal and floral shadings. Full-bodied and rich, it’s supple on the mid-palate, then turns drying and tannic on the finish.”-91pts, Wine Advocate
Cotes du Rhone Rouge Sud Absolu
Varietal Composition: 70% Grenache (30 year old vines), 30% Syrah (30 year old vines)
Soil: Calcareous sands
Average Yield: 50 hl/ha
Harvest: Manual harvest; grapes are completely destemmed
Vinification: Fermentation using natural yeasts. Maceration for 4-5 weeks. No filtration or fining. Contains sulfites.
Annual Production: 50,000 bottles
Tasting Notes: Satin smooth texture, spicily fruity wine, which has a complex range of berry flavors.
Food Pairings: Excellent when paired with duck or goose dishes
Cellaring Potential: 3-5 years
Côtes du Rhône Les Capelles
Varietal Composition: 70% Grenache (30 years old), 20% Syrah (20 years old), 10% Mourvèdre (30 years old)
Soil: Sandy-clay and limestone
Average Yield: 45 hl/ha
Harvest: Manual harvest; grapes are completely destemmed
Vinification: Fermentation using natural yeasts. Maceration for 4-5 weeks. No filtration or fining. Contains sulfites.
Annual Production: 10,000 bottles
Tasting Notes: Deep violet color. The nose reveals notes of fresh fruit, currant, blueberry, and licorice. On the palate, it is crisp, fleshy, fresh, with hints of red fruit and supple tannins.
Food Pairings: Pairs well with charcuterie or rack of lamb
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Serving Temperature: 18-20°C
Cellaring Potential: 5-7 years
2015 Reviews: “…richer and darker, with ample weight on the palate, rich black-cherry fruit and a velvety but cheerful mouthfeel.” – 91pts, Wine Advocate
Vacqueyras Classique
Varietal Composition: 70% Grenache (50 year old vines), 20% Syrah (30 year old vines) and 10% Mourvèdre (30 year old vines)
Soil: Clay-limestone (garrigues)
Average Yield: 35 hl/ha
Harvest: Manual harvest with sorting; grapes are completely destemmed
Vinification: Fermentation using natural yeasts. Maceration for 4-5 weeks. No filtration or fining. Contains sulfites.
Tasting Notes: Cherry red color with violet reflections. The bouquet is rich and complex, with aromas of red fruit, blackberry, coffee, and licorice. On the palate, it is both supple and fleshy, fresh and balanced. The finish is long with notes of cherry and hints of tight tannins.
Annual Production: 20,000 bottles
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Vacqueyras Cuvée Point G
Varietal Composition: 100% Grenache (75 year old vines and older)
Soil: Clay-limestone (garrigues)
Average Yield: 26 hl/ha
Harvest: Manual harvest with sorting; no destemming of grapes
Vinification: Fermentation using natural yeasts. Maceration for 4-5 weeks. Punching over-no pump used. No filtration or fining. Aging in barrels of 3 wines for 5 months.
Tasting Notes: Garnet color. Notes of dark fruit, toasted almonds, and coffee. Beautiful expression of the terroir and the older vines from which this is produced.
Food Pairings: The perfect companion for forest fowl or a filet of beef in sauce.
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Serving Temperature: Serve at 18°C
Cellaring Potential: 7-10 years or longer
2015 Reviews:
“Lively, spice-accented raspberry liqueur and floral aromas pick up a smoky mineral nuance with aeration. Juicy red fruit and lavender pastille flavors show very good definition and a sneaky cola quality on the back half. Closes supple, sweet and very long, with resonating floral character and gentle tannic grip.”-91pts, Vinous
“Made from 100% Grenache sourced from vines averaging 75 years in age, this is a richly textured yet vibrant biodynamic wine. Black raspberry and strawberry preserve flavors are concentrated on the palate, accented by hits of crushed violet and earth. The finish is long, marked by very fine but persistent tannins.”–91pts, Wine Enthusiast
Gigondas Les Bergines
Varietal Composition: 70% Grenache (50 year old vines) and 30% Mourvèdre (30 year old vines)
Soil: Sandy-clay & limestone
Average Yield: 36 hl/ha
Harvest: Manual harvest; grapes are not destemmed
Vinification: Fermentation using natural yeasts. Maceration for 4-5 weeks. No filtration or fining. Contains sulfites.
Aging: 30% aged in barrels for 6 months
Annual Production: 2,000 bottles
Tasting Notes: Situated on a soil of clay-limestone, the Grenache and Mourvèdre grapes lend finesse, freshness, and structure to this wine, complemented by notes of red fruit and spice.
Food Pairings: The Gigondas goes well with wild game and other meats prepared rare to medium-rare
Alcohol Content: 15%
Serving Temperature: 18-20°C
Cellaring Potential: 5-10 years
2016 Reviews: “Vivid magenta. Energetic red fruit, floral and spice qualities on the incisive nose. Juicy and sharply focused on the palate, offering subtly sweet raspberry and cherry flavors that steadily deepen on the back half. Shows very good energy and spicy cut on a long, smooth finish framed by gentle, even tannins.” – 91pts, Vinous
Muscat Sec Sud Absolu
Soil: Sandy clay
Grape Varieties: 100% Muscat Petit Grain
Yield: 70 hl/ha
Alcohol: 13%
Harvest: Manually done, followed by sorting.
Vinification: Direct pressing, fermentation with indigenous yeasts at a low temperature of 14°C. Malolactic fermentation not carried out.
Residual Sugar: < 3 gr/l
Tasting Notes: Beautiful, pale yellow color with golden reflections. The nose is intense, with exotic fruit notes such as passion fruit, combined with floral aromas. The palate is velvety, fleshy, and fruity with good acidity. Fresh on the finish with zesty notes of citrus.
Food Pairings: This wine pairs beautifully with asparagus, poultry, or as an aperitif with tapas.
C'est Pas Grave!
Soil: Limestone, sandy clay
Grape Varieties: 60% Syrah, 40% Merlot, Caladoc, Marselan, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Carignan
Yield: 60 hl / ha
Alcohol: 13.5 % Vol
Vinification: Destemmed grapes, fermentation at cool temperatures and maceration for a maximum of 15 days.
Aging: In concrete vats, sterile filtration and bottling under inert gas. No sulfites.
Tasting Notes: Intense plum color. The nose reveals a lovely bouquet of well-ripened red and black fruits. Balanced, fresh, and intense on the palate, with light tannins on the finish.
Food Pairings: Pairs well with charcuterie, red meats, and grilled veggies.
Serving Suggestion: 18-20°C
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise Chante Coucou
Soil: Clay limestone
Grape Variety: 100% Muscat Blanc À Petits Grains
Harvest: Manual
Vinification: Fermented at 14 degrees with indigenous yeasts. Malolactic is withheld.
Average Yield: 20 hl/ha
Alcohol: 15.5%
Residual Sugar: 100 g/l
Tasting Notes: Complex aromas of rose, white flowers, white fruits such a peach and pear, and passion fruit. Fresh and balanced, nice combination of sugar, acidity, and alcohol to make of this wine a real dessert wine.
Food Pairing: Foie gras, fruit-based desserts, macaroons, etc.
Serving Temperature: 10-12°C