# Côte de Brouilly Cuvée Mélanie (2025)

- **Producer:** Domaine Daniel Bouland
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Gamay
- **Region:** Beaujolais, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €32
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, redcurrant, blueberry, violet, smoke

## About this wine

Domaine Daniel Bouland is a celebrated estate in Beaujolais, run by Daniel Bouland alongside his daughter, Mélanie. The Côte de Brouilly Cuvée Mélanie comes from old Gamay vines planted on the steep, volcanic blue-schist slopes of Mont Brouilly at the Tête Noire lieu-dit. Known as a meticulous, old-school producer, Bouland crafts deeply concentrated, mineral-driven expressions of Cru Beaujolais from low-yielding bush vines.

## Interesting facts

- Cuvée Mélanie is named after Daniel Bouland's daughter, who joined him to continue the family winemaking tradition.
- The 70-year-old vines grow on steep 40% inclines composed of blue schist and volcanic diorite soil known as terres bleues.
- The small parcel for this cuvée covers less than one hectare located directly above the historical Château Thivin.

## Food pairing

The vibrant acidity and bright red fruit of old-vine Gamay slice through fatty rich meats, while its fine-grained volcanic tannins complement grilled pork, duck, and savory mushroom dishes without overpowering them.

## Wine making process

Harvested entirely by hand from 70-year-old vines, the grapes undergo traditional whole-bunch, semi-carbonic fermentation using indigenous yeasts. Fermentation takes place in concrete or stainless steel vats with classic pigeage and remontage. The wine is aged in large, neutral oak foudres and neutral tanks, then bottled unfined with minimal filtration to maintain pure fruit expression and volcanic terroir character.