2021 Domaine Mămărutá Trafalgar

Region: Fitou < Languedoc < France

Grapes: Muscat a Petits Grains

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic/biodynamic farming; 3 weeks on the skins then whole cluster 8 day carbonic fermentation followed by 6 months in neutral oak; bottled unfined/unfiltered with no added So2; 11.5% ABV

Winemaker: Marc Castan

Marc Castan founded Domaine Mămărutá, based in the Fitou AOC near the sea in the Languedoc, in 2009.  Apparently, from the moment he graduated from high school, Marc was headed straight for the vines. Winemaking is in his family – his grandfather was a vigneron – but he felt a real pull towards the land. Even the name of his estate, “Mămărutá” which is Romanian for ‘Ladybug' (the universal symbol for organic farming) is telling.  Because of course, they are the guardians of a healthy farm, helping – among other things – rid a vineyard of aphids and mites. His 10 hectare estate is in La Palme, right along the Mediterranean sea, a location that is windy. Very, very windy.  The wind reduces disease pressure, as well as mold/mildew concerns, so Marc was able to immediately convert to organic farming, and he's now on the way to biodynamic certification!  Here he makes tiny lots of light, fresh wines, atypical of the warm region, all zero-zero.  

'Trafalgar' is skin contact Muscat -- an aromatic grape whose perfumy qualities are tamed by 3 weeks on the skins.  But unlike other grapes that turn tannic with this length of skin contact, here the skins serve as the perfect counterpoint to the sweet aromatics of Muscat.  Yes, then nose is super aromatic but the palate is complex, pleasantly, lightly bitter, like a grapefruit with the lightest sprinkling of sugar or a slightly underripe tangerine.  We love how this pretty, bright citrus plays with the skin tannins on the finish.  Such a beautiful, balanced wine that seems just right for fall and holiday meals - we want this one with the Thanksgiving spread!

SERVE CHILLED BUT NOT ICY COLD