Domaine Coudoulet Pays d'Oc La Charlotte Cinsault 2024

Camille Ournac has expanded his beloved series of varietal wines from the Languedoc with a brilliant new example: a pure Cinsault. Where this old southern French grape was once vilified for its light colour and low alcohol content, Camille believes it is now indispensable for continuing to make fresh, elegant wines in the increasingly warming climate. And he convincingly demonstrates this with this delightfully light-footed red.

Camille picks the grapes in lieu-dit La Charlotte – hence the name of the wine. Incidentally, according to tradition, Cinsault yields 'as much as five buckets of grapes per vine' – but Camille says he hasn't noticed anything of that yet. That must undoubtedly have something to do with his expert vineyard management.

After the manual harvest, Camille immediately presses the whole bunches and ferments the juice in stainless steel tanks. He bottles the wine in a transparent bottle, so that the sparkling garnet color comes into its own.

La Charlotte has a seductive floral scent, tastes of raspberries and a hint of freshly ground pepper and is deliciously drinkable with its modest 12.5% alcohol. The ultimate summer red, in short. Preferably drink it slightly chilled. On its own, with a platter of charcuterie, with roast chicken or even with fish. And above all, make sure you have a good supply at home.