# Rafling (2022)

- **Producer:** Frédéric Cossard
- **Colour:** orange
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Riesling
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €42
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, apricot, orange, lime, ginger, blossom, rose, grapefruit, biscuit, toast, dried apricot, marmalade, honey, petrol

## About this wine

Frédéric Cossard is a highly respected natural winemaker based in Saint-Romain, Burgundy. Known for his hands-on yet non-interventionist approach, Cossard created 'Rafling' as part of his négociant project. The grapes are sourced from organically farmed vineyards in Alsace and transported to his cellar in Burgundy. This wine represents a brilliant crossover of Alsatian terroir and Burgundian natural winemaking expertise, resulting in a unique skin-contact expression.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'Rafling' is a playful, phonetic nod to the Riesling grape variety.
- Frédéric Cossard founded his domaine in 1996 after previously working as a milk broker.
- This wine is vinified entirely without added sulfur, showcasing Cossard's mastery of zero-sulfite winemaking.

## Food pairing

The skin-contact maceration gives this Riesling a unique structural profile. The high natural acidity of the grape cuts through rich, fatty dishes like pork belly, while the light tannins and phenolic grip stand up beautifully to spiced, aromatic, and textured foods. It bridges the gap between white and red wine pairings.

## Wine making process

The Riesling grapes undergo a period of skin-contact maceration for approximately two weeks to extract color, texture, and complex phenolics. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with native yeasts in concrete eggs and neutral oak vats. The wine is aged on its fine lees without any temperature control, fining, or filtration. In line with Cossard's philosophy, no sulfur is added at any stage of the process.