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Jean Pla's selection is based in his hometown of Saint Paul de Fenouillet. His family has been growing grapes and making wine for generations. Pla created his company in 2000, and works with different grape growers and winemakers in Maury. The neighboring areas of Rasigu?res, Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet and Tautavel helped to create his own blends. The top wines are put under the Passion Classico label. These wines come primarily from vineyards of 30 to over 100 years of age. Maury is blessed with many old Grenache vines as well as those of Syrah, Carignan and other grapes. Much of the juice traditionally found its way into the fortified reds of Maury. As this style of wine has quietly lost favor, Pla recognized the potential of the grapes for the powerful, natural wines he produces. Saint-Paul de Fenouillet is situated in the south of France, within an hour's drive to the Pyr?n?es Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. He is proud of his famous vineyards with its two rivers running along the chain of the Southern Corbi?res leading to the most famous Cathar castles. The land is mostly covered with vineyards, but the herbs like thyme and rosemary grow on the slopes of the mountain to the limestone crests. Through the centuries, the ancient Roman villaria, "Monedariae" has become an active, important town situated at an altitude of 600 feet and about 30 miles from the Mediterranean coast. One can enjoy the pleasures of outdoor sports, historical places, thermal springs or rest in the shade of its century-old planetrees. This complex of full flavored Grenache comes from vines in Maury averaging 80 years of age and producing only three tons to the acre instead of the usual six. The vineyards are located in the Fenouilledes hills, whose name derives from the "Fenouille" plants, or fennel, which covers the hillsides. The grapes are manually harvested and fermented for an extended three weeks in the tank, after which the wine is aged for two years in oak until a gentle bottling. Served best with roasted meats and stews. December Limited Series Newsletter (.pdf) |
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