Brand new to the Midwest, we are very excited to introduce Domaine Altugnac!
Domaine Altugnac is the brainchild of Christian Collovray and Jean-Luc Terrier, two vignerons that founded a small family winery named Deux Roches, in the Macon region of Burgundy. In 1997, ten years after the birth of Deux Roches in Davaye, Collovray and Terrier sought out to make exceptional wine in the Languedoc. They found an area in the Haute Vallée de l’Aude to build a winery. The borders of this wine-growing region, nestled in the south against the foothills of the Pyrénées, are marked by by Mount Chalabre and Mount of Razès in the west, by Corbières in the east, and Carcassonne in the north. With its limestone soils and cool climate, the Haute Vallée de l’Aude is a region ideal for planting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, much like their home base further north.
The vineyards are about 1000 feet above sea level and receive plentiful sunlight, and are situated between what they call a “savage environment”, with vines alternating alongside moors and brush. Bee hives strategically placed on the property help pollinate the flora. Minimal use of sulfites are employed.
THE WINES:
Domaine Altugnac “Les Turitelles” Origines Blanc $15.99
20% Mauzac, 40% Chardonnay, 10% Chenin, 20% Sauvignon Blanc
ORIGINES is the name of our wine because there is a lot of Turitelles fossils in our vines, they are the origin of our soil. These marine sediments are carried by a limestone and clay base, forming sloping plateaus in the landscape, on which the vineyard is located. This terroir in the foothills of the Pyrenees is known for the quality of its hillsides and its sunny and cool microclimate.
The aromatic of sweet almond and cherry blossom, cover a golden light drawing on pale green. Its volume of flesh both fat and ample carries your mouth towards a fresh and dynamic finish. Organically farmed.
Domaine Altugnac “Les Turitelles” Chardonnay $16.99
Within the vast Languedoc vineyard, Altugnac is now 110 hectares in the Limoux appellation area in the Haute-Vallée de l’Aude. The vines are 30-50 years old and are farmed organically. “Turitelles” refers to the marine fossils found in the clay-limestone soils–exceptional conditions for Chardonnay.
Light-medium body, creamy and layered with orchard fruits–pear, green apple and an underlying creamy texture. The wine undergoes maloactic fermentation, but is aged in all stainless steel.
Domaine Altugnac “Les Turitelles” Pinot Noir $19.99
This Pinot Noir with garnet-coloured juice is perfumed with fine spices (nutmeg and cinnamon), mocha, and Montmorency cherry.Its texture finds its balance in a generous flavor that is felt in a velvety tannin highlighting the finesse of the grape variety.
The grapes are harvested and put in vats by gravity. Aged in stainless steel and concrete vats. Organically farmed.