# Barbe Rousse (2020)

- **Producer:** Jérôme Balmet
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Gamay
- **Region:** Beaujolais, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 12–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** strawberry, red cherry, raspberry

## About this wine

The 2020 Barbe Rousse is a red still wine from the Vin de France classification, produced by Jérôme Balmet in the Beaujolais region of France. This natural wine is made from 100% Gamay grapes sourced from old vines grown on calcareous clay and blue granite soils. Jérôme Balmet, a winemaker known for his minimalist and non-interventionist philosophy, began his winemaking career in 2012 after a transformative period of study in Asia. His approach emphasizes purity and expression of terroir, with practices influenced by biodynamics and a commitment to avoiding chemical inputs.

## Interesting facts

- Jérôme Balmet was influenced by natural wine pioneers Jean-Claude Lapalu and Mathieu Lapierre.
- The wine is made with no added sulfites, is unfiltered, and unfined.
- Balmet's vineyards are farmed using biodynamic practices.
- The name 'Barbe Rousse' translates to 'Red Beard'.

## Food pairing

The light body and bright red fruit notes of this Gamay make it versatile. It pairs well with lighter proteins like chicken and pork, where its acidity can cut through richness without overpowering the dish. Its soft tannins complement leaner meats, and its fruitiness can echo fruit-based sauces or accompaniments.

## Wine making process

The 2020 Barbe Rousse is produced using a minimalist, natural winemaking approach. Grapes undergo a 12-day carbonic maceration in concrete tanks, a technique that enhances fruitiness and softness. The wine is then aged in enameled stainless steel to maintain its purity. Jérôme Balmet's philosophy extends to the vineyard, where biodynamic practices are employed, and no chemical treatments or soil plowing are used. The wine is bottled without fining, filtration, or the addition of sulfites, ensuring a direct and unadulterated expression of the Gamay grape and its Beaujolais origin.