SDG Selections : Our Growers

It is here in Pas de l’Escalette that Julien Zernott and his wife Delphine Rousseau have their vineyard of 10 hectares planted in terraces with their myriad drystone walls called “clapas”. The vines are in calcareous clay soil which, along with a relatively temperate climate, are the perfect equation for producing outstanding wines. The harvest is manual and fermentation of the wines takes place in wood barrels. The wines are then aged half in vat and half in wood. Julien Zernott is the winemaker at the exceptional Domaine Henry Pellé in Menetou-Salon, so he is well versed in producing beautiful wines. He says that his work is: “one part passion with a spot of hard work and a good dose of madness.”

Le Premier Pas(“The First Step”): This wine was named to commemorate the first steps of the couple’s son, Jules. The wine is a harmonious blend of all the grapes of the domaine with airy notes. Its vitality makes it a good everyday table wine. It accompanies lamb, game, or goat cheeses well.

Le Grand Pas(“The Great Step”): A silky wine made of 50% grenache along with the freshness of the Carignan grape (30%) and the finesse of Syrah (20%). The wine is aged for 13 months in barrels and 4 months in vats. Revue du Vin de France (June, 2006) names this wine number 3 in its top 10 wines of the 2005 vintage in Languedoc: “precise, fresh, fruity, with a depth to it thanks to the grenache.”

Les Clapas blanc: A subtle blend of white Carignan(50%) and Terret Bourret(50%) both from the same plot of vines grown on semi-circular terraces. The meagre vines give magnificent expression to this superb terroir. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in barrels with indigenous yeast; there is no malolactic fermentation.

Les Clapas rouge: Old vines pruned using the untrellised “gobelet” method and planted in mixed fields (the Carignan dominating amid a spattering of Aramon and Alicante Bouschet) account for 50% of this blend. They are the heart and soul of this fresh-tasting wine. The opulent palate comes from the Grenache, while the estate’s old Cinsault adds the crowning, fruity touch

Website: http://www.lepasdelescalette.com/

Our Growers:

Julien Zernott & Delphine Rousseau



	Our Growers: Julien Zernott & Delphine Rousseau Domaine le Pas de l'Escalette
	In the not too distant past, after one crossed the plains of Larzac in southern France, the road deteriorated and came to a huge mass of rocks which ended on a ledge atop the dug-out gorge of Pas de l’Escalette. But many centuries ago, in order to get down into these plains to arrive in the valley of Lergue (direction Lodève), one could only do so by using ladders placed on the rock since the height of the surrounding cliffs did not permit any other means of access. Thus, the name Pas de l’Escalette. It is the obligatory passage between the Larzac and the Mediterranean.
	It is here in Pas de l’Escalette that Julien Zernott and his wife Delphine Rousseau have their vineyard of 10 hectares planted in terraces with their myriad drystone walls called “clapas”. The vines are in calcareous clay soil which, along with a relatively temperate climate, are the perfect equation for producing outstanding wines. The harvest is manual and fermentation of the wines takes place in wood barrels. The wines are then aged half in vat and half in wood. Julien Zernott is the winemaker at the exceptional Domaine Henry Pellé in Menetou-Salon, so he is well versed in producing beautiful wines. He says that his work is: “one part passion with a spot of hard work and a good dose of madness.” Le Premier Pas(“The First Step”): This wine was named to commemorate the first steps of the couple’s son, Jules. The wine is a harmonious blend of all the grapes of the domaine with airy notes. Its vitality makes it a good everyday table wine. It accompanies lamb, game, or goat cheeses well. Le Grand Pas(“The Great Step”): A silky wine made of 50% grenache along with the freshness of the Carignan grape (30%) and the finesse of Syrah (20%). The wine is aged for 13 months in barrels and 4 months in vats. Revue du Vin de France (June, 2006) names this wine number 3 in its top 10 wines of the 2005 vintage in Languedoc: “precise, fresh, fruity, with a depth to it thanks to the grenache.” Les Clapas blanc: A subtle blend of white Carignan(50%) and Terret Bourret(50%) both from the same plot of vines grown on semi-circular terraces. The meagre vines give magnificent expression to this superb terroir. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in barrels with indigenous yeast; there is no malolactic fermentation. Les Clapas rouge: Old vines pruned using the untrellised “gobelet” method and planted in mixed fields (the Carignan dominating amid a spattering of Aramon and Alicante Bouschet) account for 50% of this blend. They are the heart and soul of this fresh-tasting wine. The opulent palate comes from the Grenache, while the estate’s old Cinsault adds the crowning, fruity touch Website: http://www.lepasdelescalette.com/