Regions
Vineyards
Domaine des Grands Devers
THE WINE
Maximum allocation: 4 cases (3 red, 1 white). Next option available: May 2009. Vineyard code: XBOUC
About The Vineyards
In viticultural terms this is the southern Côtes du Rhône. Many grape varieties are grown, but for red wines the blend is based on Grenache, usually mixed with Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and/or Carignan. White wines are usually made from a blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and, increasingly now, Viognier, famous for producing a distinctive and very expensive wine called Condrieu, made in miniscule quantities in a tiny appellation in the northern Rhône.
Our vineyard, Domaine des Grands Devers, is near the small town of Valreas, between Montélimar and Nyons, and is run by brothers Paul-Henri and Louis-Pascal Bouchard, whose family once owned a famous wine négociant house in Beaune. They bought the domaine as a going concern and the 1999 harvest was their first. Paul-Henri is a qualified oenologist and we were indeed lucky to meet them when we did, as we were able to choose exactly what percentage of each grape variety would go into our two exclusive wines.
As well as making excellent wine, Paul-Henri and Louis-Pascal also have four comfortable chambres d'hôtes at the domaine and will serve evening meals by prior arrangement.
We were charmed by the area and handsomely entertained by M. Louis-Pascal Bouchard at Domaine des Grands Devers. To cap it all, the wine is superb!