Our grape varieties
Ardeche
Protected Geographical Indication
Small plots of Viognier, Syrah, Grenache Noir and Cinsault, protected by white oak hedges overhanging a hillside that shields them from the scorching late day sun.
Situated at an altitude of 300m, on clay, limestone and gravel slopes, the south-east exposure gives the grapes full growth capacity, all in an airy and temperate space.
The plots are cultivated using agro-dynamic methods, according to the lunar cycles for working the soil, pruning and sanitary protection.
Use of ox horn silica, essential oils, spirit vinegar and mineral sulphur from natural quarries. All this gives us a yield of around 35hl/ha.
Process
Once the grapes have reached maturity, they are picked by hand at the cool of dawn, at the unique moment of balance between acidity and sugar, and then packaged in cases.
The harvest is then sent to the Maison Francois Ducrot.
For the red wine :
(Syrah) In whole bunches, without destructuring, the grapes are placed in open oak barrels in which they macerate for several days before being transferred by gravity into vats for fermentation.
The wine is then aged in oak barrels for several months. Barrels in which there has been a white Burgundy for 2 years (breaks the "wood" aspect of the oak)
For the white :
(Viognier) the whole wine cycle is done in acacia barrels to round out the flavours without giving a woody taste.
For the rosé:
This is what we call a "vin de goutte", a direct press wine. The bunches are picked very early in the morning, at sunrise, before the air and the fruit have warmed up. We do not use maceration, we apply the Vin Blanc method, the tannins are not released and therefore do not colour the juice.
Our Wines
Our range, in terms of iconography, a nymph, nestled in nature with elements
reminiscent of the aromas of wine, the lunar cycles in gilding, and the
In the background, an esoteric circle, also evoking astrology.
Nuit Blanche
Pure Viognier
Fat and elegant, great finesse, fragrant and low acidity.
Aromas of apricot, bergamot, naturally woody, lime, quince, spicy, hawthorn flower, dried fruits.
The age brings a mineral touch, gingerbread, peach, lime, acacia, violet.
Potential for ageing, very refined, elegant and long in the mouth.
To be enjoyed with fatty fish, white meats, blue-veined cheeses and all fruit or chocolate-based desserts.
An exceptionally elegant and refined white
Rencontre
A "côte rôtie" style blend of Syrah and Viognier (12%).
Complex and elegant nose, combining red fruits (raspberry, strawberry, cherry) with black fruits (blackcurrant, blueberry...), passing through some floral (violet) and spicy (pepper, cinnamon) notes, slightly woody (vanilla, toast, coffee). Nice balance between acidity/tannin/alcohol, fat and long in the mouth.
A wine for ageing which improves and becomes more and more elegant with time. Fruity at the beginning, it refines its tannins with the years, while persisting its aromatic value.
A red blending contemporary fruity flavours with subtle woody notes reminiscent of its history.
Insouciance
Made from grenache noir and cinsault
The oldest wine in France, about 2600 years old, and of Greek origin, rosé was much appreciated by our kings of France, Louis XI and Louis XIV were very fond of it.
This shows how ancestral our know-how is!
Our rosé, in the manner of the greatest domains of Provence (Garrus, Minuty...) is a rosé de Pressée, pale, with a light body and delicate aromas of flowers, citrus fruits, yellow fruits...
​Only available in magnum, this prestige cuvée is limited to 500 units. It is the result of meticulous work, from the winter pruning to its elaboration and bottling in a unique, elegant and refined model.
All our wines are certified organic farming
​
The shape of our bottles has been specifically designed to allow decanting when the bottle is opened.
As a reminder, the main consequence of decantation on the wine is the elimination of the deposit formed in a bottle over the years.
The aromatic bouquet of the wine, gradually smothered by the solid body of the tannins, is finally freed from its inertia to better recover its vivacity and let the finesse of its aromas express themselves.
Decanting a wine also has the effect of oxygenating it.
Certified Organic Agriculture
Organic agriculture uses cultivation and breeding practices that respect the natural balance.
Indeed, it excludes the use of synthetic chemicals, GMOs, etc.
The AB mark is the property of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
Used for certification purposes, it allows, like the European organic logo, the identification of 100% organic products
Agrodynamics
Agrodynamic agriculture is an agriculture that guarantees the health of the soil and plants to provide healthy food for animals and people...
It places great importance on the rhythms of nature and the influence of the stars, particularly the lunar cycles.
The Domaine des Cades also raises animals that graze our vines in winter and whose natural excrement improves the soil.