Our Growers:

Didier Barre

Domaine Berthoumieu

The Domaine Berthoumieu has been in the BARRE family since 1850. The vineyards are located in the land of the famous ‘d’Artagnan,” earl of Batz in Madiran. Wines have been produced in Madiran since the 11th century, when the abbey of Madiran was founded by the Benedictine friars from Burgundy. The Domaine Berthoumieu is 24 hectares with vines dating from 10 to 100 years old. Its climate is essentially oceanic: relatively mild winters, hot and stormy summers and dry and very sunny autumns, all of which are propitious for excellent maturation. Soil is in general clay-calcareous or clay-siliceous with gravel and loam. Grapes are hand harvested, usually starting around September 20th for the red wines.

Madiran wines are composed of several grape varieties: 55% Tannat is the basic variety, which gives the wine good balance, a slight astringency, a potent aroma and a feeling of richness in the mouth; 35% Cabernet Franc brings smoothness, bouquet and finesse to the wine; and 10%Fer-Servadou or Pinenc is produced in very small quantity and has the bouquet of its native soil.

The Berthoumieu Madiran is a well-balanced red wine which is slightly astringent when young. By decree, it must be aged for a year before marketing in vat and barrel. It is clarified with egg whites before bottling. This is a wine of strong color with a bouquet of red and candied fruits. In the mouth the wine is quite full-bodied. Madiran goes well with red meats as well as game and cheeses. The Madiran Charles de Batz is made from 50-year-old vines and is aged in new oak barrels. Hints of red berries and spice can be found in the nose and in the mouth the wine is balanced with tannin and licorice in the forefront.

Website: http://www.expressions-terroir.com/