Gérard Bertrand : Villa Soleilla 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of Villa Soleilla 2022 by Gérard Bertrand

Tasting

Colour
Technically classified as a Vin de France produced through skin maceration, this wine reveals an amber and golden hue of great clarity, enhanced by subtle orange highlights around the rim of the glass.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet stands out for its complexity. It exudes scents of orange peel, grapefruit and bergamot, intertwined with notes of burnt sugar, vanilla and white flowers. Touches of garrigue, thyme, honey, candied fruit and white pepper further enrich this palette.

Palate
Full-bodied and unctuous, the palate offers a rich texture. Flavours of candied mandarin, dried apricot and hazelnut blend with nuances of cigar box, cedar and Earl Grey tea. A citrus vibrancy, carried by bitter lemon and lime zest, combines with a pronounced salinity to balance the whole. The finish is dry, delicately bitter and supported by finely textured tannins.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs beautifully with lamb tagine, roasted vegetables with mild spices, or aged cheeses. It also complements Mediterranean cuisine, seafood, as well as Asian and Indian dishes with spicy profiles.

Service and storage

Boasting significant aging potential, Villa Soleilla 2022 can develop favourably in the cellar and be enjoyed until around 2052.

The aromatic richness and structure of an orange wine from Languedoc

The estate

Founded in 1992 by the former rugby player of the same name, Gérard Bertrand has become an essential reference in Languedoc-Roussillon. Located near Narbonne, the estate has established itself as the largest certified biodynamic estate in the world. Today, Gérard Bertrand continues to lead the group, joined by his daughter Emma Bertrand in creative direction. Driven by a philosophy combining respect for biodiversity with technical mastery, the estate is dedicated to revealing the potential of southern France's terroirs through high-quality cuvées.

The vineyard

The grapes come from six plots of old vines located on the Château l'Hospitalet estate, less than twelve kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea. This limestone and clay terroir, swept by sea winds, offers optimal drainage and naturally limits yields. Cultivated according to biodynamic principles, this vineyard produces a Vin de France imbued with the aromas of the surrounding garrigue and marked by a distinctive salinity.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes are harvested by hand to respect the ripeness of each plot. The vinification of Villa Soleilla 2022 begins with carbonic maceration in temperature-controlled tanks between 21 and 25°C, using exclusively indigenous yeasts. At mid-fermentation, the free-run juice is transferred to French oak barrels, while the press juice is distributed among terracotta amphorae, glass vessels and stainless steel tanks. After skin maceration lasting three to four weeks, aging continues in these different vessels for eight months before bottling.

Grape varieties

This wine is a blend of Roussanne, Viognier and Vermentino.