# Globule Rouge (2024)

- **Producer:** Domaine de la Petite Sœur
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Franc
- **Region:** Loire, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 11.5%
- **Average price:** €28
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** raspberry, cherry, rose, herbaceous, bell pepper

## About this wine

Domaine de la Petite Sœur is a micro-estate located in Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné in the Anjou region of the Loire Valley, founded by winemaker Adrien de Mello. After gaining winemaking experience internationally and working at a biodynamic estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Adrien established his estate in 2015. The vineyards are farmed organically and biodynamically across four hectares, using a draft horse named Toscane for soil cultivation alongside plant-based preparations for vine care. The 2024 Globule Rouge comes from 45-year-old Cabernet Franc vines grown on schist subsoil mixed with clay and sand.

## Interesting facts

- Adrien de Mello tills his vine plots using his draft horse, Toscane, avoiding soil compaction.
- The vineyard is treated with biodynamic teas made from nettle, yarrow, comfrey, and buckthorn.
- Adrien committed to zero-sulfur winemaking after a pivotal tasting of old natural wines with Loire pioneers.

## Food pairing

The vibrant acidity and low-tannin structure of this fresh, light-to-medium red pair seamlessly with charcuterie, light game, poultry, and earthy sheep's milk cheeses without overpowering delicate savory elements.

## Wine making process

Harvested manually with low yields, the grapes undergo 14 days of whole-cluster semi-carbonic maceration. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using only indigenous yeasts, without any added sulfur dioxide or enological additives. The wine is aged entirely in fiberglass cuves to maintain freshness and fruit expression without oak influence, before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.