# Les Cairns (2022)

- **Producer:** La Ferme du Pasteur
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Grenache, Syrah, Carignan
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €18
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, raspberry, blackberry, black pepper, violet, herbaceous, smoke, leather, forest floor, game

## About this wine

La Ferme du Pasteur is an artisanal estate located in the Gard department of the southern Rhône Valley, France. Run with a deep commitment to biodynamic and organic farming, the estate focuses on producing living, low-intervention wines that express the unique terroir of their limestone and clay soils. 'Les Cairns' is a vibrant red blend named after the stone trail markers (cairns) found throughout the region's rugged landscape. It represents the estate's philosophy of guiding the grapes from vineyard to bottle with minimal interference, resulting in a pure, energetic expression of Southern French varieties.

## Interesting facts

- The wine is named after 'cairns'—man-made piles of stones used since antiquity to mark hiking trails and paths.
- La Ferme du Pasteur strictly adheres to biodynamic principles, treating the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem.
- This cuvée is bottled without any fining or filtration, preserving its natural cloudiness and vibrant living character.

## Food pairing

The vibrant acidity, moderate tannins, and juicy red fruit profile of this natural red wine make it incredibly versatile. It pairs beautifully with rustic, savory dishes that match its earthy undertones, while its bright acidity cuts through the richness of roasted meats and charcuterie without overpowering the food.

## Wine making process

The grapes for Les Cairns are harvested entirely by hand at optimal ripeness. In the cellar, the winemaking follows strict natural principles: spontaneous fermentation occurs using only indigenous yeasts in concrete or neutral vessels. There is no fining or filtration, and little to no sulfur dioxide is added at any stage of the process. The wine is aged in neutral tanks to preserve the bright, primary fruit character and the rustic, earthy nuances typical of natural Southern Rhône blends.