Our Growers:

Charles Hochman

Domaine de Mirail

The Domaine de Mirail is located in the heart of Gascogny in Armagnac country. The domain dates back to 1491 to Guilhem de Miraihls, who cultivated vines; it now belongs to Charles Hochman and his sons. The grape varieties of the region are all grown here: Colombard, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Syrah and Folle Blanche. The vines are judiciously divided between the rocky limestone plateau and the limestone-clay steep southern slope, which leads to very ripe grapes and low yields.

Vin de Pays Blanc Sec Colombard is a great expression of the Colombard grape. The vines are planted in limestone soil. The grapes are harvested by night to allow extended skin contact at low temperatures before being pressed in a balloon press. The wines are aged in a stainless steel vat on selected lees for 3 to 4 months. The wine is a very agreeable compromise between suppleness and typicity. The finish is harmonious with a light acid note. It is a fresh, pleasing wine that pairs well with fish, seafood, a ginger salad, chicken, or goat cheese.

The Domaine de Mirail rouge comes from vines of Merlot and Syrah planted in clay-limestone soil. The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo cold maceration for 5-7 days followed by an alcoholic fermentation with regular délestage. Vatting length varies according to the vintage.

The Domaine de Mirail moelleux: the grapes are hand harvested at the end of the autumn when they have shrivelled sufficiently. After a gentle pressing, the musts are run into new oak barrels for fermentation which can take from 1 to 3 months. The wines are then aged in the same barrels on their lees for 9 to 12 months.

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