Domaine de la Galouchey, Vin de Jardin 2018

All the permitted grape varieties of the region – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Petit Verdot, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Muscadelle – are planted in the vineyard and the wine is made as a blend of all of the grapes, white and red. After being hand-harvested at low yields, the fruit is hand-destemmed and co-fermented with wild yeasts, before undergoing elevage in old oak barrels with minimal SO2 additions and being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Domaine de Galouchey is one of the most idiosyncratic estates in Bordeaux, nestled in the Entre-deux-Mers appellation but preferring to label their wine as plain old Vin de France. The 0.94 ha vineyard was virgin land until Jean Terrade and Gérard Pantanacce planted it in 2002, so no chemicals have ever been used and viticulture has been organic since the beginning. A few years later they persuaded renowned sommelier Marco Pelletier to join the team and their ‘Vin de Jardin’ (a riposte to the ‘Vins de Garage’ moniker given to so many small St Emilion estates in 1990s) has since developed a cult following among drinkers who are tired of Bordeaux’s corporate affectations.