'14 Domaine Gayda.....9/34

'14 Domaine Gayda.....9/34

Languedoc Roussillon, France

strawberry, racy, dry

Just outside the small village of Brugairolles, southwest of Carcassonne, lie the vineyards and cellars of Domaine Gayda (pronounced Guy-da). These gently sloping vineyards in the foothills of the Pyrenees are planted with a mixture of varieties that excel in this heartland of the Southern France’s Languedoc Roissillon region.

Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan, Viognier, Cabernet Franc are the principle cepages that Gayda have planted and they draw grapes in from vineyards in the distinctive sub-regions of the surrounding countryside. Some of the vines are 80 years old.

Domaine Gayda’s own vineyards are managed organically having been certified in 2012. The organic philosophy has been extended to the introduction of other plants within the property, including an olive grove, to build on its biodiversity and natural health.

The winery by contrast is modern, barely 10 years old, and is designed to manage the fruit as small parcels whose vinification can be tailored as required. A sorting table ensures only the very best grapes are hand selected to proceed in to the winery to be turned in to wine.

The winery’s flagship wine is Chemin de Moscou (Road to Moscou) and whose name is taken from a local road that leads to the company’s vineyards. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault this organically certified wine is a stunning example of why more and more wine drinkers are seeking out wines from Sud France