Description
GENERAL INFORMATION
Grape: Syrah 90% – 10 % Grenache
Soil types: The vineyards are located near the Camargue, on the border with the sandy soils around the Gulf of Lion. The soils are sandy clay and the climate is typically Mediterranean – hot and very windy. The wind promotes pollination, dries the leaves and surface soils, and reduces mildew pressure, making the site suitable for organic farming.
Vineyard management: The vines are designed for mechanization so that they can easily be farmed organically. The grapes are healthy and are brought to the winery at peak ripeness. All of the vines are trained using the Cordon de Royat system and yields a total of 70 hl per hectare.
Winemaking: The grapes are entirely harvested by machine by night. The grapes are protected using dry ice as soon as they enter the hoppers. The fruit is then macerated at low temperatures in an air-free environment for 2 to 4 hours in the press. The juice is subsequently cold clarified and racked before fermentation. After a small amount of yeast is added, fermentation takes place at low temperatures – 14°C to 16°C – to maximize the development of aroma. Blended with a touch of Grenache just before bottling the Montmija Syrah rosé is bottled in the spring.
