# Grande Nuit Cabernet Sauvignon (2023)

- **Producer:** Maison Fortant
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon
- **Region:** Languedoc-Roussillon, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, green bell pepper, black cherry, vanilla, cedar

## About this wine

Grande Nuit Cabernet Sauvignon from Maison Fortant is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the IGP Pays d'Oc in Languedoc-Roussillon. The wine's name, 'Grande Nuit' or 'The Great Night,' signifies the crucial night harvest, a practice employed to maintain grape freshness and natural flavors. Maison Fortant, with a history linked to the Skalli family and now owned by the Boisset Group, focuses on varietal-specific wines from the diverse terroirs of Southern France. The winery's approach is rooted in understanding and leveraging the landscape to enhance their wines.

## Interesting facts

- Harvested at night to capture peak freshness.
- Named 'The Great Night' after the harvest tradition.
- Part of a winery legacy dating back to the 1920s.

## Food pairing

The medium to high tannins in this Cabernet Sauvignon are well-suited to complement the proteins in dishes like roast beef and lamb, softening as they interact. The wine's fruit-forward character can stand up to richer sauces and savory preparations, while its inherent freshness can cut through fattier elements, creating a balanced dining experience.

## Wine making process

The Grande Nuit Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. A key technique is the night harvest, which occurs in early October, to preserve grape freshness and flavor by minimizing oxidation. Fermentation is carried out in temperature-controlled tanks to manage extraction. A small fraction of the wine (5%) sees oak contact to impart roundness. Maison Fortant's winemaking philosophy centers on a landscape-based approach, leveraging the diverse terroirs of Languedoc-Roussillon.