Domaine Gramenon Poignée de Raisins 2024

Domaine Gramenon works in the southern Rhône at Montbrison-sur-Lez, where Philippe Laurent and Michèle Aubéry-Laurent founded the estate in 1978 on old vines, and which Michèle and her son Maxime-François run today by biodynamic and natural methods. Poignée de Raisins is the estate's most approachable Côtes du Rhône, a young Grenache made with minimal intervention. The grapes grow on the clay and limestone soils of the area, and the Mediterranean climate ripens Grenache fully while the cooler nights keep the red fruit fresh. Vinification is deliberately gentle, with native yeasts and little or no added sulphur, which keeps the wine light, juicy and transparent rather than extracted, so the fruit and a faint garrigue herbal character come through cleanly. The colour is bright translucent ruby. The nose is all crunchy red berries, cherry and cracked pepper with a savoury, earthy edge, and the palate is fresh and low in tannin, with lively acidity and a clean finish. This is a red that can take a light chill. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees with charcuterie, roast pork or grilled vegetables.