Chaume-Arnaud Côtes-du-Rhône '21

Valérie Chaume-Arnaud always wanted to be a winemaker, and despite the protestations of her mother, she followed her heart and did just that. After studying oenology and viticulture, she took over the five hectares of vines belonging to her parents in 1987. Her father had set up the first cooperative in Saint-Maurice, but Valérie was not interested in selling her grapes in bulk. Instead, she started to bottle her own wine. With her husband, Phillipe, she continued to expand their holdings bit by bit, and they now own over 30 hectares, mainly in the Vinsobres appellation, which is located about 45 minutes north and west of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They have been farming their estate organically since 2002 and moved to biodynamic in 2004, and they are now certified. The soils are stony and poor on the slopes and richer on the terraces. Harvest in done by hand and yields are kept very low. 

One thing that’s notable about the winery at Chaume-Arnaud is the absence of any wood barrels or vats. Here, all the wines are vinified in tanks. The result is wines that are pure, clean, and without makeup, allowing their terroir and the grape varieties to express themselves entirely.

This wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, and 20% each of Syrah and Cinsault. Dry and medium bodied, with moderate tannins and acidity, it has notes of red and black berries, dried savory herbs, and tapenade. It’s delicious and drinkable now, with an open quality that makes it an everyday, easy-drinking, food-friendly wine. Try it with mezze, grilled tuna, salade niçoise, or prosciutto pizza.