# Grande Cuvée (2015)

- **Producer:** Domaine des Féraud
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
- **Region:** Provence, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €24
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black plum, dried herbs, black cherry, fresh herbs, coffee, cedar, vanilla, chocolate, earth, dried fruit, tobacco, forest floor, leather, mushroom

## About this wine

The Domaine des Féraud Grande Cuvée is a red wine from the AOP Côtes de Provence, produced by Domaine des Féraud. The wine is crafted from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, with a significant portion of the Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from vines planted between 1951 and 1978. The estate is situated in Vidauban, Provence, on a terroir of sand, sandstone, and quartz pebbles. Founded in 1927, the estate is now managed by Markus Conrad and Annerose, who have committed to organic farming practices. The Grande Cuvée is seen as a classic of Provence, reflecting the region's winemaking heritage and the unique characteristics of the estate's old vines and terroir.

## Interesting facts

- Cabernet Sauvignon vines here date back to the 1950s.
- The estate is certified organic.
- Harvests are sometimes conducted at night.
- Winemaker Markus Conrad was formerly a musician.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and structured tannins are well-suited to rich proteins, where they can cut through fat and complement the meat's texture. Herbal notes in the wine can echo seasonings used in dishes, while the fruit components can harmonize with sauces.

## Wine making process

The Grande Cuvée is produced using grapes from Domaine des Féraud's organic vineyards. Following a manual harvest, often conducted at night for freshness, the grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The resulting wine is then aged for 15 months in a mix of new oak barrels, used oak barrels (2-4 years old), and 600-liter demi-muids. This process is designed to develop the wine's structure, integrate its tannins, and allow the expression of the vineyard's terroir.