IGP Côtes Catalanes: 'L'apprentie Sorcière' du Clos des Fees Rose 2022
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From vineyards in the foothills of the Pyrenees in Roussillon, this IGP rosé is a blend of young vine Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Fresh berry fruit aromas dominate the nose with lychee notes and grapefruit acidity on the palate. This generous rosé is an ideal aperitif or with fresh fruit and vegetable starters and salads.
Referencing the 'Sorcerer's Apprentice', 'L'Apprentie Sorcière' translates as the 'Novice/Apprentice Witch'. Le Clos des Fées have long made red and white wines under 'Les Sorcières' ('the Witches') labels – this new rose references the youth of the Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre vines it is made from.
The Grenache Noir vines come from decomposed schist soils in the village of Espira de l'Agly planted in 2011. The Syrah comes from clay-limestone soils near the domaine in Vingrau and dates from the mid-2010s. The Mourvèdre in the blend is from the 'Mas Farine' vineyard in Opoul that was planted as bush vines ('en gobelet') in the early 2000s.
The Grenache Noir is picked early to obtain maximum ripeness without excessive alcohol. Syrah is picked around a week after the Grenache and the Mourvèdre is picked around the 3rd week of September.
| Style | Rose Wine, Sec, Medium-bodied, Non Sparkling |
|---|---|
| Wine Region | Roussillon, Vin de Pays Catalan |
| Grape Variety (Cépage) | Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Syrah |
| Food & Wine Matching | Charcuterie, Pasta, Thai Food |
| Viticulture | Non-Organic |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Cellarage | Best consumed 1 to 2 years after vintage. |
| Vinification | Grapes are picked in the cool early morning and transported to the wineries in small boxes to avoid bruising. De-stemmed fruit is cooled and gently pressed for a few hours at low temperatures to limit colour extraction. Fermented using wild yeasts which are kick-started when the Syrah and Mourvèdre musts are added. Matured on the fine lees with regular lees stirring (to avoid reduction) in stainless steel with some lees stirring to avoid reduction. Bottled in the January after vintage. |
| Alcohol By Volume (%) | 12.5 |
Clos des Fées (Hervé Bizeul)
In 1981, while in his early twenties, Hervé Bizeul was acclaimed the Best Young Sommelier in France. In 1998, after a spell in journalism, Hervé transferred his skills and attention to a small parcel of abandoned vines in a corner of the Roussillon that he felt had great potential.
Despite vinifying his first vintage at the back of a friend's cellar, the Clos des Fées domaine has gone from strength to strength and two decades later is revered throughout France.
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