# Rocca Maura Lirac Rouge (2022)

- **Producer:** Rocca Maura
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €12
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** liquorice, black cherry, black plum, black pepper, red cherry, raspberry, blackberry, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, smoke, cedar, cloves, dried fruit, tobacco, earth, leather, forest floor

## About this wine

Rocca Maura Lirac Rouge is a red wine from the AOC Lirac in the Southern Rhône Valley, France. Produced by Rocca Maura, a cooperative founded in 1922 by 60 winegrowers, the wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvèdre. The Lirac appellation is recognized as one of the oldest Côtes du Rhône crus, known for producing wines with power, structure, and aromatic depth. Rocca Maura emphasizes the expertise of its growers and aims to create authentic wines that express the Rhône terroir, with a commitment to organic and sustainable practices.

## Interesting facts

- Rocca Maura cooperative was established in 1922.
- Lirac is one of the oldest crus in the Côtes du Rhône.
- Vineyards are planted on terraces with large, rolled pebbles.
- The wine is part of Sweden's 'Temporary Assortment' (Tillfälligt sortiment).

## Food pairing

The full body and structured tannins of this Lirac Rouge make it an excellent partner for rich protein dishes. The tannins bind with the proteins in meat, softening both the wine and the food, while the wine's inherent fruitiness and herbal notes can complement the savory flavors of roasted meats and stews.

## Wine making process

The Rocca Maura Lirac Rouge undergoes fermentation and maceration for four weeks with temperature control and daily pump-overs. Malolactic fermentation is also employed. Following fermentation, the wine is aged in 300-liter oak barrels for nine months. The producer emphasizes organic and sustainable farming practices in their vineyards, which are situated on clay and limestone terraces with rolled pebbles. Some vineyards are also on calcareous plateaus covered with red clay and gravel.