# La Bernardine (2021)

- **Producer:** M. Chapoutier
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €60
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** liquorice, black plum, black pepper, raspberry, black cherry, leather, dried fruit, earth

## About this wine

M. Chapoutier La Bernardine 2021 hails from the esteemed Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation in France's Southern Rhône Valley. Produced by the historic M. Chapoutier family, known for their commitment to biodynamic viticulture, this red wine is a blend primarily featuring Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre. The vineyards are situated on quaternary terraces characterized by a surface of shingles and large, round pebbles, a signature of the region. The 2021 vintage, while challenging, has yielded a wine noted for its freshness and refined texture, reflecting the estate's dedication to expressing the unique terroir.

## Interesting facts

- The 'La Bernardine' house sits directly within the estate's vineyards.
- Chapoutier is a pioneer in biodynamic winemaking in the Rhône.
- The wine is a blend of up to 13 traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape grape varieties.
- The vineyard soils are covered in large, round pebbles.

## Food pairing

The wine's structure and fruit profile complement rich, protein-heavy dishes. Tannins in the wine bind with proteins in the meat, softening the wine and tenderizing the food. Herbal notes in the wine can echo seasonings used in the dishes, creating harmonious flavor bridges.

## Wine making process

M. Chapoutier La Bernardine 2021 undergoes traditional vinification in closed concrete tanks, with a vatting period of approximately three weeks at elevated temperatures to ensure optimal extraction of color and tannins. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 15 months in concrete tanks, a process that facilitates good oxygenation while preserving freshness and aromas. Grape selection during harvest is a key step in ensuring quality. The producer adheres to organic and biodynamic farming practices, reflecting a philosophy focused on expressing the unique characteristics of the terroir.