Yeast in French... and in wine + next Bandol winetastings
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Photo of Jean-Marc taken in 2008, after his first year of making wine in the Rhone Valley. Seven years and two vineyards later, he is in his element here in Bandol, where his natural rosé will be released in 2016!
TODAY'S WORD: levure
: yeast
la levure chimique = baking powder, chemical leavening
la levure de bière = brewer's yeast
la levure sèche = dry yeast
la levure de boulanger = baker's yeast
ECOUTEZ/LISTEN
Hear Jean-Marc pronounce these French words:
Download MP3 or Wav
La levure. Les vins que je pense élaborer seront naturels, ce qui veut dire levure indigène, et pas de souffre ajouté, pour refléter notre joli terroir.
Yeast. The wines I plan to elaborate will be natural, which means indigenous yeasts, and no added sulfur to reflect our beautiful terroir.
Mas de Perdrix. A home in France that artists and writers love to rent. Work on your creative project in this inspiring environment.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
We are farming our vines organically with Biodynamics methods. The wines I plan to elaborate will be natural, which means indigenous yeasts and no added sulfur, to reflect our beautiful terroir. I plan to make a light and high acidity rosé wine to enjoy drinking casually.
Jean-Marc starts the natural yeast process at our previous winery, Domaine Rouge-Bleu
Mas des Brun comes from "Brun" which is an olive varietal so we also have centenary olive trees which should produce enough fruit to make a decent olive oil production, after having been severely pruned two years ago. At last, we have a few bee hives to make a bit of honey and make this place as harmonious as possible.
Bee hives at Mas des Brun
Our vineyard is also our home, so it is private, but we often organize wine tasting upon appointment. Next ones are October 3rd, October 14th and October 19th where we taste some wines I made at Domaine Rouge-Bleu and some rose I made last year sourcing some grapes from local friendly vineyards. You are welcome to sign up for one of these events. Kristi and I hope to see you.
Chief Grape
Our most recent winetasting grew and grew and included two wine writers Katherine Cole and Robert Camuto. You will enjoy their books:
Katherine Cole's Complete Wine Selector: How to Choose The Right Wine Every Time
To read the wonderful reviews of Katherine's book, and to order, click here.
And Robert Camuto's book Corkscrewed: Adventures in the New French Wine Country See the excellent reviews and order Robert's books, here
OCTOBER WINETASTINGS
We have added one more winetasting to our October calendar.
=> Contact [email protected] to reserve your seat.
October 3rd, 11 a.m.
October 14th, 3 p.m.
October 19th, 3:30 p.m.
Watering his baby vines during last summer's heatwave. Thank you for reading and for sharing this post with a friend. And thanks for checking out our sponsors:
Sablet home for high quality vacation rentals in the heart of Provence.
COMMENTS
To leave a comment, click here. For more words in a French life, click here.
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For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety
Look forward to the time when your wine will be more available in the US ... or when I can come to a tasting and purchase it in France. Best wishes.
Posted by: Trina from St. Petersburg, FL USA | Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 12:51 PM
I love the fact that you're using organic methods now. I'll be in France during some of your tasting sessions but in the Aude near Limoux, which is unfortunately a bit far to come participate!
Posted by: Leslie M. Ficcaglia | Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 01:21 PM
Today's post hit my "impulse button!" and makes me want to buy a ticket to France TODAY for your next tasting! I so admire your ongoing creative endeavors at your new home, gardens and vinyard! Cheers from a very soggy Roanoke...the river is way up!
Posted by: Patty Cargill | Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 02:28 PM
When I lived in France 20+ years ago I searched for organic vineyards, there were only a very few, as I'm certain you know..good for you deciding to go that route! Good article, thanks for taking the time to give explanations. Wish I was there now to come to one of you wine tastings.
Posted by: catharine ewart-touzot | Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 02:35 PM
I'm so glad your vines made it through the summer. Hope to get to the Oct. 19 tasting. I'll let you know after I clear up business in Dijon.
Posted by: Julie Farrar | Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 02:38 PM
Hi Kristin,
There is one vineyard in our area that is certified organic. I believe it takes dedication and hard work to do it this way. In our area with all the rain, humidity and cold it is very hard to be organic. I was wondering if JM finds it difficult or does your weather and terroir make it easier to take on this big job and do it organically? Good luck to JM and can't wait to try the wine! We still have some Lunatique and Mistral from our wine dinner at the Clifton Inn! So fun!
I agree with Patty Cargill.....I feel like buying a ticket to France for one of your wine tastings in October!!! :-)
Posted by: Eileen deCamp | Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 02:50 PM
Thank you J-M for your story. It is always good to hear from you. Can' wait to try the 2016 rosé .
Kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen | Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 08:57 PM
Ce rosé naturel me met l'eau à la bouche!
I think that élaborer does not translate to 'elaborate'. Rather the wine I plan to create or make would be closer to Jean-Marc's thought.
A votre santé
Posted by: Jacqueline | Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 01:40 AM
Eileen: let's go!!!
Posted by: Patty Cargill | Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 04:25 AM
Olive trees, olive oil, wine, and honey....these are some of my favorite things....what a beautiful way to live...nature provides...
Posted by: Faye | Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 04:27 AM
Hey Patty Cargill.....I'm game if you are! :-)
Posted by: Eileen deCamp | Thursday, October 01, 2015 at 05:27 PM
I think that you have done wine tastings in Seattle. But, I would love to host a wine party here if you are in the area again!
Posted by: Dana | Thursday, October 08, 2015 at 05:52 PM