# Antilope (NV)

- **Producer:** Domaine des Grottes
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Gamay, Malvasia
- **Region:** Beaujolais, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Average price:** €24
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 6–8 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** pine, lemon, juniper, herbaceous

## About this wine

Antilope is a distinctive non-alcoholic beverage crafted by Romain des Grottes of Domaine des Grottes, a young and experimental winemaker based in Saint-Germain Nuelles, Beaujolais, France. Known for his unwavering commitment to biodynamic farming, Romain has cultivated his 8 hectares of vineyards with Demeter certification since 2007. His philosophy extends beyond traditional winemaking, embracing biodiversity by planting grass and cereals between vines to encourage natural competition and achieve exceptionally low yields. Antilope stands out as a sophisticated, 'serious and introspective' non-alcoholic alternative, designed for those seeking a complex and dry beverage experience rather than a sweet one. It reflects the producer's dedication to natural processes and unique expressions, offering a compelling option for abstaining from alcohol without compromising on depth or character.

## Interesting facts

- Domaine des Grottes practices biodynamic farming, Demeter certified since 2007.
- Producer Romain des Grottes plants grass/cereal between vines for competition, lowering yields.
- "Antilope" is a sophisticated, dry, botanical non-alcoholic alternative, not a de-alcoholized wine.
- It's crafted with herbal infusions and fruit juices, without added sugar or artificial flavors.

## Food pairing

Antilope's dry, herbaceous, and refreshing profile makes it an excellent companion for light, fresh dishes. Its pronounced acidity and subtle bitterness can cut through richness in certain foods, while its botanical notes beautifully complement herbal and citrus-driven flavors. It shines with clean, delicate preparations, acting as a sophisticated palate cleanser or an aromatic enhancer.

## Wine making process

Antilope is meticulously crafted as a non-alcoholic beverage from a blend of herbal infusions and fruit juices. The exact composition varies slightly, but typically includes a significant proportion of organic herbal infusion (such as juniper, lemon verbena, gentian, yarrow, and blackberry leaf) combined with fruit juices like grape (including Gamay or Malvasia varieties), apple, lemon, and passionfruit. The production process emphasizes purity, with no added sugar, preservatives, or artificial flavors. This aligns with Romain des Grottes' broader winemaking philosophy for his alcoholic wines, which typically involves no additions and no filtration, ensuring a natural and unadulterated final product. The focus is on extracting the inherent aromatic and flavor complexities from the botanical and fruit ingredients.