French Organic Wine

Filed in archive Organic Wine on April 20, 2007

Normally, when I think of organic wine, I think of the winemakers in California.

I also think of sandals and tie-die t-shirts. While the trend in organic wines seems to growing, it is growing very slowly. This is the case in the U.S. as well as France, who also has its share of organic wineries.

Here are few interesting notes from Celebrate spring with April's top ethical wines in an interview with Catherine Roque of Domaine de Clovallon:

Is going organic the future for wine production?
We are going back to the past, to our roots. But it is also the future. Man is a part of the earth, not a separate entity. He must therefore stop living in excess and become reacquainted with the practices which have allowed the human race to survive and evolve on this earth for millennia. In this sense, yes, organic wine is the future. One day there will only really be bio wine. We will no longer need to specify.

New Consumer Recommends...
This month's top five ethical wines (all come from organic or fair trade grapes)

Domaine de Clovallon Pinot Noir 2005
A super fresh Pinot Noir that's bold, clean and as bright on the palate as it is on the eye. Its earthy and red fruit nose is mouth-watering, while on the tongue wild berries, plum and subtle hints of tobacco prove irresistible. At less than a tenner, this is a steal.
How much: £8.95
Where to buy it: Online at Terroir Languedoc
Food match: Game, paté

Domaine de Clovallon Joli Cantel 2002
The grower won't tell us what grape is used in Joli Cantel (for legal reasons, apparently!) but we're assured it's a single variety rather than a blend. Whatever it is - and we have our suspicions - it makes a refreshing, classy wine that has hints of crunchy apple and crystallised fruit.
How much: £8.95
Where to buy it: Online at Terroir Languedoc
Food match: Thai, Chinese