# Domaine La Calmette Serpent à Plumes (2022)

- **Producer:** Domaine La Calmette
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Malbec, Merlot
- **Region:** South West France, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €17
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** raspberry, plum, violet, blackcurrant, blueberry

## About this wine

Domaine La Calmette was founded in 2015 by winemakers Maya Sallée and Nicolas Fernandez in Trespoux-Rassiels, high on the limestone plateaux of Cahors in South West France. Practicing certified organic and biodynamic viticulture, the estate focuses on expressing the vibrant, mineral-rich identity of Kimmeridgian limestone soils. Serpent à Plumes is crafted as an energetic, modern expression of Malbec and Merlot, reimagining the region's historical reputation for dense, heavily extracted red wines.

## Interesting facts

- Vineyards are situated at 300–330 meters elevation, among the highest points on the Cahors limestone plateau.
- Designed as a 'vin de soif', offering a fresh, lively counterpoint to traditional heavy Cahors reds.
- Farmed according to strict organic and biodynamic principles to promote soil vitality and lower copper usage.

## Food pairing

The bright acidity, moderate body, and supple tannins of this natural red wine pair beautifully with lean roasted meats, poultry, and mushroom-driven dishes. The moderate extraction ensures it does not overwhelm delicate proteins, while its energetic backbone cuts smoothly through earthy charcuterie and sheep's milk cheese.

## Wine making process

Grapes are hand-harvested in small 20kg crates from vines ranging between 20 and 50 years of age. Vinification utilizes native yeasts with no added sulfur during fermentation. The process incorporates partial whole-cluster inclusion, direct pressing, and destemmed grapes, resulting in a gentle 6 to 8 day infusion. Gravity-fed into stainless steel tanks, the wine rests on fine lees before being bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal sulfur additions.