Domaine Terra Noe 'Upsilon' | Ardeche, France

Domaine Terra Noé is the flagship vineyard of the Vignerons Ardéchois, an estate belonging to 900 members who are collective owners.

The organically certified Roussanne and Marsanne grapes that make up this cuvée come from vines planted on deep, stony clay-limestone soils.

They are worked as follows: 1 out of 3 rows are naturally grassed with different species such as oats, faba beans and rye to provide the necessary nutrients for the vines. The remaining 2 rows are worked to aerate the soil and avoid too much plant competition.

The harvested grapes undergo a long pressing, with the press juice and free-run juice separated. Vinification is carried out in the traditional way, with must settling at a temperature below 8°C, followed by temperature-controlled fermentation at between 18° and 19°C. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in wooden vats, with racking to retain the finest lees. The wine is aged in wooden vats (35hls) for around 9 months on the lees, which are stirred once a week initially, then once a month.