COLOUR
White
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2024
GRAPE
Roussanne
PRODUCER
Domaine Saint-Etienne
REGION
Rhône
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium - Full
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
Medium
Finish
Medium - Long
Intensity
Mid - Pronounced
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Domaine Saint-Etienne was acquired by the iconic Northern Rhône producer Michel Chapoutier in 2018, drawn to the estate's highly preserved, organic-certified soils in the Gard department of the Southern Rhône. Guided by Chapoutier's philosophy of minimal intervention, the estate lets the unique terroir of Montfrin speak clearly. The name 'Les Abelhas' translates to 'The Bees' in Occitan, the traditional regional language, serving as a tribute to the estate's organic farming practices and biodiverse, chemical-free environment where wild bees thrive.
ALCOHOL
13.5%
AVG. PRICE
€15
STYLE
Classic
SULPHITES
YES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
10-12°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Les Abelhas means 'The Bees' in Occitan, celebrating the estate's organic vineyards where wild bees thrive.
Fact 02
While Southern Rhône whites are almost always blends, this wine is a rare 100% single-varietal Roussanne.
Fact 03
The estate was acquired in 2018 by the legendary Northern Rhône producer Michel Chapoutier.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
The grapes are harvested in the early hours of the morning to preserve freshness and protect delicate aromatics from oxidation. After gentle whole-bunch pressing, the juice undergoes cold static settling for 24 hours. Spontaneous fermentation is carried out using only indigenous yeasts. To build complexity and texture, 80% of the volume is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, while 20% is fermented in 600-liter oak demi-muids. The wine is aged for 7 to 10 months on its fine lees with regular stirring (bâtonnage).
