Newsletter: 2022 Domaine de Bellivière 'Astrancia' Rosé

Newsletter: 2022 Domaine de Bellivière 'Astrancia' Rosé
Things are changing rapidly these days. The fluctuating climate is topic number one when speaking with winemakers today, all of whom are continually dealing with unprecedented weather events affecting their terroirs. In several instances, these events have devastated entire vintages, leaving these vignerons with no fruit, no wine. One of our all time favorites, Domaine de Bellivière in the Loire Valley, has suffered catastrophic frosts over the past several vintages that have decimated their entire crop, forcing them to recoup fruit from distant appellations. 

Today's rosé was made out of necessity, but it's a glorious example of beauty being born from disaster. Made from Grenache sourced from friends in Ventoux, a windy, cool section of the Southern Rhône. It's a fascinating and utterly delicious Southern wine cast in a Loire mold, combining rich, bold flavors with striking acidity and minerality. If you love rosé all year round, this is the wine for you. A perfect winter rosé.
BUY NOW
Biodynamicaly grown Grenache with a touch of Aubon, from windy Ventoux in the Rhône Valley. The hand-harvested fruit is de-stemmed, and a third slowly pressed saignée style, while the remainder is macerated for a quick 8 hours before being racked to ferment and age in large, used oak foudre for 12 months. 

Watermelon pink, this is a deeper than average rosé. Blood orange, blackberries, Mediterranean garrigue, violets and white pepper are mirrored on the nose and palate. There is brilliant freshness and exhilarating acidity to balance all the rich fruit. A rosé with some muscle that drinks like a light red. Makes for a wonderful aperitif, but astounds with classic bouillabaisse. 
Bellivière is all about rejuvenation. Based out of the appellations of Coteaux-du-Loir and Jasnières, two regions that were almost completely wiped out after an intense frost in 1956. The regions only began to recover in the 70s, when Eric Nicolas and his wife Christine decided to put down roots. Eric had no background in wine, but knew this was a place to buy cheap land, so they took the leap. Over the decades, they've expanded to 14 hectares across 65 parcels.

All farming is done biodynamically, certified since 2011. The family harvests everything by hand, and will routinely harvest in passes ensuring only pristine fruit. Since their son joined in 2017, they've gained the manpower to expand production to include a négociant label. The future is looking bright for this little family winery. 
2022 Domaine de Bellivière 'Astrancia' Rosé - $26.99
 
*SPECIAL NEWSLETTER PRICE - $24.99
 
To order, reply directly to this email or call me at 843.576.4845
Justin Coleman
Proprietor
Monarch Wine Merchants
Back to Newsletters