Coteaux du Lyonnais AOP – La Têtue – Rouge d’ici – red

Description

From a little-known vineyard between Beaujolais and the Rhône Valley, the Rouge d’ici 2022 from La Têtue embodies the authenticity and freshness of the Coteaux du Lyonnais terroir. This 100% Gamay wine, grown on granite and silty-clay soils at around 300–400 m altitude, benefits from a cool climate that preserves its liveliness and tension.

The vines are farmed under certified organic agriculture, with practices close to biodynamics, encouraging biodiversity and respect for natural balances. The harvest is manual, with careful sorting of the bunches in the vineyard to keep only the healthiest fruit.

The winemaking reflects the philosophy of La Têtue: artisanal, committed and environmentally friendly. It takes place in the heart of Lyon, in an urban winery that rethinks the relationship between producer, city and consumer. The winemaker takes a low-tech approach, keeping energy-hungry equipment to a minimum and favouring simple, manual work.

Fermentation takes place without added yeasts, by semi-carbonic maceration, to bring out all the juicy charm of Gamay while keeping freshness and drinkability. No oenological adjustments, no filtration, no fining: a natural wine, honest and alive. Ageing takes place in stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit. A minimum of sulphur is used at bottling, and only if necessary.

But La Têtue’s commitment doesn’t stop at the cellar door: even the labels are designed with the circular economy in mind, made partly from grape marc, acid-free, biodegradable and recyclable, to limit the environmental impact right down to the packaging.

The Rouge d’ici 2022 reveals a vibrant nose of crunchy cherry, redcurrant and fresh strawberry, lifted by a hint of white pepper. On the palate, the attack is lively, the fruit juicy and the frame light and fluid, carried by lovely acidity and smooth tannins. It is a delicious, direct, unpretentious wine that calls for conviviality and simplicity.

Enjoy lightly chilled with charcuterie, vegetarian dishes, grilled meats or Lyonnaise cuisine. Drink young to appreciate its natural energy.