Appellation: Vin de France (Languedoc, Saint Chinian area)
 
Terroir: Loose brown schist. Southwest exposure, high altitude vineyard 200 and 300 meters above sea level. 
 
Grapes: Oeillade (Cousin of Cinsault) 
 
Farming: Organic (not certified)
 
Aromatics: Fragrant nose of violet, wild red cherries, black plum, fine white pepper spices and an elegant earthy character. 
 
Palate: Medium bodied red with lots of personality, delicate, savoury and authentic mouthfeel filled with red current and red berries, fine elegant tannins. I love the terroir and altitude mineral freshness in this wine combined with the softer lower alcohol 11.5% easy drinking style. A joyful wine we recommend on every table! 
 
About the wine: Often confused with Cinsault, Oeillade Noire used to be widely planted in the Langedoc before phyloxera. High yielding Oeillade produced low alcohol wines once very popular amongst thirsty French workers. Then people were more interested in high alcohol grapes and Oeillade became almost extinct, however luckily vignerons such as Thierry Navarre protected these vines which are part of the history of the Languedoc region. To help set the context around this wine; La Revue de Vin de France claimed that Thierry Navarre is: “Amongst the elite of the area.” and ‘Vin d’Oeillade’ is French sommelier's favourite ‘best kept secret’. In terms of winemaking the grapes are hand harvested, with some grapes fully or partially destemmed. Following a natural fermentation and ageing in cement tanks. The resulting wines are unfined, yet they are filtered.
 
When to drink: Drink now or in the next 4-5 years after vintage 
 
Service: Serving temperature: 12-13°C. Can be served slightly chilled.

Food match: Charcuterie, burgers, grilled meat, pizza or hard cheese.