Le Feu 2023, Vin de Savoie Ayze Domaine du Gringet | Savoie

Domaine du Gringet 's Vin de Savoie Ayze Le Feu is one of the wine estate's most singular cuvées, a result of Dominique Belluard 's mission to reveal all the finesse and originality of the Gringet grape variety. Located on the Le Feu hillside, this eponymous cuvée benefits from full southern exposure on soils composed of marl and red clay rich in iron oxide, at an altitude varying between 300 and 450 meters. This temperate alpine terroir, marked by sharp variations in temperature, gives the grapes a slow ripening and an assertive minerality. Now run by Vincent Ruiz and his team, the cuvée is produced using organic, plot-based viticulture, with gentle pressing and spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeasts. Ageing takes place for nine months on fine lees in ovoid concrete vats, followed by ten months' bottle ageing. These gentle, low-intervention methods, so dear to the wine estate, ensure that the freshness and purity of the wines remain intact.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Le Feu is a wine of character that perfectly illustrates the solar expression of the Vin de Savoie Ayze appellation. The cuvée reflects the mastery of Domaine du Gringet, where each parcel is vinified separately to sublimate its unique terroir. Its subtle balance between power and finesse makes it both elegant and singular, offering ageing potential of several years

On the nose, the wine opens with a refined, complex expression of white flowers and fresh citrus fruit, quince jelly, honey and mountain herbs, where chalk and oyster shell accents reveal a bright, saline minerality.

On the palate, the cuvée unfurls a crystalline, vibrant texture, where saline acidity elegantly enlivens a deliciously fleshy body. Flavors of white peach, creamy honey, dried fruit and infusion intertwine delicately with a complexity rarely achieved with this grape variety. The finish is full of élan, carried by a persistent minerality and slightly smoky nuances that recall the character of the terroir. Each sip expresses the subtle blend of Alpine energy and refinement that is the signature of Domaine du Gringet.