# Alex Foillard Brouilly (2018)

- **Producer:** Domaine Alex Foillard
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Gamay
- **Region:** Beaujolais, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €38
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 13–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, raspberry, violet, black pepper

## About this wine

Domaine Alex Foillard was founded by Alex Foillard, son of the legendary Morgon producer Jean Foillard, who helped launch the natural wine movement in Beaujolais. In 2016 at the age of 24, Alex established his own independent domaine after purchasing a single hectare in Brouilly's north-facing lieu-dit La Folie. The vineyard consists of 50-year-old Gamay vines growing on decomposed granite soils.

## Interesting facts

- Alex Foillard is the son of Jean Foillard, a pioneer of Beaujolais' natural wine movement.
- Alex established his own estate at age 24 after acquiring a single hectare plot in Brouilly.
- The vineyard sits on 50-year-old vines in the north-facing lieu-dit La Folie.

## Food pairing

The high natural acidity and silky, supple tannins of Gamay allow it to cut cleanly through the rich fats of poultry, pork, and cured meats. Granitic minerality and delicate spice notes align seamlessly with charcuterie and semi-hard cheeses.

## Wine making process

Grapes are hand-harvested in small crates. Fermentation takes place using 100% whole-cluster semi-carbonic maceration in concrete tanks with native yeasts for 21 days, featuring light pumpovers during the first three days. The wine is aged six months split evenly between concrete tanks and neutral oak barrels, followed by six additional months in bottle before release. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered with a minimal dose of sulfur added at bottling.