Le Grand Noir
You know the casual chic lifestyle that the French are famous for? How carefree and relaxed, but so beautiful and thoughtful they make their lives look. How delicious and uncomplicated, but suitable for every situation, French wines taste. There are stylistic aspects, but the French have an explanation for the quality of their wines: terroir.
The Le Grand Noir wine project, which started in 2005, is the creation of three professionally ambitious friends. Falling in love with the French lifestyle and food and wine culture, the trio wanted to create something special but accessible in France's oldest wine region, the Languedoc-Roussillon region known for its diverse terroir. The pompous lifestyle sometimes associated with wines gave way to enjoyable, culinary and homely, when Hugh Ryman, known as an esteemed enologist, Robert Joseph, an award-winning wine writer who collected merits, and Kevin Shaw, who designed numerous successful labels, founded their wine brand. Together with several winegrowing families working in the Minervois region, a dedicated vineyard and cellar team, and the Celliers Jean d'Alibert cooperative, a shared dream was possible.
Although many Languedoc farmers today have tractors and other modern equipment at their disposal, viticulture in the region is pretty much the same as it has been for centuries. However, with Le Grand Noir, the varietal growing areas and wine blends meet the requirements of today, and thus the project has succeeded in creating styles and flavors that are strongly part of today's advanced wine production and meet the demands of consumers. In the wines of Le Grand Noir, the grape varieties are strongly linked to their favorable growth areas, be it valleys opening up to the seaside or windy and steep slopes. The ancient wine-growing regions in Languedoc-Roussillon consist of patchwork soils, slopes reaching different heights of 50-300 meters, and the resulting mesoclimates. Abundant sunshine together with the Mediterranean wind produces grapes that combine ripe fruitiness, balanced alcohol content and neat structure. The range of grape varieties includes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Grenache and Pinot Noir, but all wines are united by their authenticity towards their varieties and region. Not a single wine is masked in the cellar by excessive use of oak, and not a single wine has more than 13.5% alcohol. The natural terroir of the area has been made to flourish with innovation and a touch of French chic.
Le Grand Noir is known for its exceptionality and ability to think differently - that's why the brand look is known as the black sheep. The wine blends are undeniably exceptional: Cabernet and Syrah, Chardonnay and Viognier. Without questioning tradition or bowing down to legalities, these wines are above all made to be enjoyed. So pour one of the series wines into your glass and enjoy it with food or on its own. Like at home in France.
Le Grand Noir's wines are Haut Valeur Environnementale certified and vegan-friendly.
