Domaine du Mortier "Brain de Folie" Rouge

Cyril and Fabien, not originally from a winemaking background, developed their passion for viticulture as teenagers when their parents bought a property with a vineyard in 1989. They established Domaine du Mortier in 1996, located near Bourgueil, and expanded it to 16 hectares, specializing in Cabernet Franc suited to the alluvial soils of the Central-Loire Valley AOCs. Their diverse cuvées, such as Les Sables, Les Graviers, Les Pins, and Dionysos, reflect the unique terroirs and are crafted through natural processes in their cellar. Additionally, they manage an agroforestry project in Brain sur Allonnes, enhancing biodiversity and practicing organic and biodynamic methods. The domain also creatively responded to challenges like severe spring frosts by producing a special cuvée, La P’tite Vadrouille, using their remaining grapes combined with Merlot from Dordogne.

The vineyard comprises two gravelly plots in Brain sur Allonnes, next to Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, totaling 1.2 hectares with vines of different ages, maintained with alternating rows of grass and plowed soil, facing south. Cabernet Franc and Grolleau are the grapes used in this "Brain de Folie". During winemaking, hand-harvested whole bunches undergo carbonic maceration in 50-hectoliter concrete tanks for about 14 days using lees from previous vintages as a starter for fermentation. The wine is matured in tanks for 4 months before being bottled with a minimal addition of sulfur.

• Producer: Domaine du Mortier
• Region: Loire Valley, France
• Variety: Cabernet Franc, Grolleau
• Alcohol: 12.5%