WINE ESTATE

Vindémio

VENTOUX

Avenue Jean Jaurès
84570 Villes sur Auzon
04 90 70 20 45
www.vindemio.com

Jean Marot was widely (and justly) saluted as one of the rising stars of the Ventoux during his decade at Domaine de Murmurium. That was based on a partnership which ended in financial catastrophe for Marot half a dozen years ago but with the support of his son Guillaume and five good friends he was able to retain enough vines to start all over again. He now has 19 hectares in 14 parcels, mostly on limestone scree from Mont Ventoux.

Trained as a chemist, Marot has always been conscious of the potential dangers of chemicals in wines so it is no surprise that with the Vindémio vineyards he embraced organic viticulture and then, four years ago, biodynamics. ‘I believe wines made from biodynamically grown grapes have an extra dimension. They taste livelier.’ For his entry-level bottlings, however, he uses a proportion of bought-in organic wine.

The price:quality ratio offered across the Vindémio range is difficult to beat. The wines are beautifully harmonious with very fine tannins – all thanks, says Marot, to the slow ripening possible in what he regards as the Ventoux’s golden triangle: Villes sur Auzon/Bedouin/Mormoiron. Choose the Regain white and red for everyday drinking and the damsony 50:50 Grenache/Syrah Imagine for a brilliantly affordable treat.

Interesting to see what can be achieved without a whisper of oak. And modestly, too.