Domaine Viret : Dolia 1 Paradis 2011

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Dolia 1 Paradis 2011 from Viret

Tasting

Colour

The colour reveals a beautiful intensity, typical of a high-quality red wine from the south, with a remarkable clarity characteristic of amphora vinification.

Nose

The nose offers a complex, multifaceted aromatic profile. The initial notes reveal sweet dark fruit aromas, particularly dark berries, with hints of red fruit. Notes of Mediterranean garrigue emerge, bringing a dry, herbaceous character that anchors the wine in its Provençal terroir. Provençal spices complete the aromatic profile, while a touch of leather adds a further dimension of complexity.

Palate

The palate is compact and rich, with a persistent acidity that beautifully balances the wine's full body. The tannic expression is good and well integrated, with medium fineness. The attack reveals ripe dark fruit, particularly dark berries such as blueberries and blackcurrants, with hints of dark chocolate adding further richness. The tannic structure is medium and harmoniously integrated, creating a sensation of finesse. The body of the wine is medium to full, creating a pleasing presence without ever being overwhelming. The texture reflects the amphora vinification, with a micro-oxygenation that has encouraged a gentle integration of the tannins. The aromatic persistence on the retro-olfaction is remarkable. The finish is of medium length, balanced and dry, revealing the spicy and mineral notes characteristic of the terroir.

Food and Wine Pairing

Dolia 1 Paradis 2011 pairs particularly well with wild meats and noble game. Duck, goose and game birds make ideal gastronomic partners. A coq au vin or a bœuf bourguignon creates a symphony of flavours in which the richness of the wine resonates with the depth of the dish. A delicately spiced lamb stew, especially one prepared with Mediterranean herbs such as thyme or rosemary, creates an echo between the spices in the dish and those in the wine. Dishes featuring black olives, tapenade and other Mediterranean condiments also find harmonious partners in this wine. A well-chosen platter of Provençal cheeses, particularly mature goat's cheeses, offers fascinating pairing possibilities.

A Vin de France aged in amphora according to the principles of cosmoculture

The estate

Domaine Viret is a family-owned estate now in its fourth generation since Julien Genin acquired the land in 1917. Alain Viret joined the estate in 1963 and took over its management in 1973. In 1998, his son Philippe Viret joined the estate after completing his oenology studies, ushering in a revolutionary period. Since 2005, Philippe Viret has pioneered the reintroduction of amphora-aged wines. The estate extends over a total of 60 hectares, of which 35 hectares are planted with vines. The estate's unique distinction lies in its practice of cosmoculture®, a patented agricultural system of which Philippe Viret is the only practitioner in the world. The cellar, built in 1999 according to the principles of sacred geometry, uses stones from the same quarry as the Roman Pont du Gard.

The vineyard

This Vin de France comes from a vineyard in Saint-Maurice-sur-Eygues, at an altitude of between 250 and 300 metres, with a full southern exposure. The soil has an ideal composition for the production of great wines: a rich, deep clay scattered with chalk, with a significant proportion of flint. The terroir benefits from a major underground spring, above which the estate's cellar sits. The vines display great genetic diversity, planted from an old massal selection comprising more than twenty-five different grape varieties, with an average vine age of forty years and numerous parcels of centenarian vines. The rows of vines are planted in a variety of configurations: north-south, east-west, in square grids, and even in spirals, following an energetic logic based on interaction with telluric currents.

Vinification and ageing

Dolia 1 Paradis 2011 was vinified and aged in terracotta amphorae, a process that contributes directly to its distinctive character. Amphora vinification provides a gentle, continuous micro-oxygenation that encourages a subtle integration of the tannins and a slow, harmonious evolution of the wine. This micro-oxygenation also brings an openness and a release of more fruity aromas. The wine was produced according to the principles of cosmoculture, without any additives or winemaking aids. Dolia 1 Paradis 2011 is the estate's most prestigious selection, produced only in years when the quality of the grapes reaches an exceptional level.

Grape varieties

Grenache (50%), Syrah (20%), Mourvèdre (20%), Carignan (10%).