# La Vieille Église Côtes du Marmandais Merlot – Cabernets (NV)

- **Producer:** Les Marmandais
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
- **Region:** South West France, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €9
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–17 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, blackberry, cherry, raspberry, liquorice

## About this wine

La Vieille Église is produced by Les Marmandais, a historic cooperative in South West France formed by the union of Cave de Beaupuy and Cave de Cocumont. The wine takes its name from an 11th-century Romanesque Benedictine church situated directly adjacent to the cooperative's cellar in Lot-et-Garonne. The cooperative produces the majority of the Côtes du Marmandais appellation, maintaining local viticultural heritage along the Garonne River.

## Interesting facts

- Named after an 11th-century Romanesque church built by Benedictine monks that stands next to the winery.
- Les Marmandais cooperative accounts for roughly 90% to 95% of total AOC Côtes du Marmandais production.
- Crafted without oak aging to focus entirely on fresh fruit purity and drinkability.

## Food pairing

The combination of supple tannins and lively acidity makes this blend versatile with rich proteins. The fruit intensity complements roasted or grilled meats, while the medium tannin structure cuts through the richness of duck and semi-hard cheeses without overwhelming the palate.

## Wine making process

Grapes are machine-harvested with parcel selection across clay-limestone and gravel slopes. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to retain pure fruit expression. The wine is aged without oak contact, spending approximately six months in stainless steel tanks followed by three months of bottle aging before release.