Les Foulards Rouges Octobre 2024

Les Foulards Rouges was founded in 2002 by Jean-Francois Nicq and Bijan Mohamadi in the eastern Pyrenees of Languedoc-Roussillon. The estate farms organically and vinifies with minimal intervention, and Octobre is one of its fresh, early drinking reds, made from Grenache and Syrah. The Mediterranean climate of Roussillon ripens both grapes readily, so the low alcohol here reflects an early pick and a deliberately gentle extraction. The wine is made by carbonic maceration, where whole uncrushed bunches ferment under carbon dioxide and each berry ferments internally. This method favours bright red fruit and soft, supple tannin while limiting the harder phenolics drawn from skins and pips. The colour is bright ruby. The nose is scented, with raspberry, red cherry and red currant over rose petal and a light dusting of pepper. The palate is fresh and juicy, low in tannin, with crisp acidity and a clean savoury finish. Serve lightly chilled at around 13 to 14 degrees to keep the fruit vivid. It suits charcuterie, roast pork and lighter poultry, and can stand in for a white alongside a green salad.