Mourvèdre

Alain Allier is a disciple of Eric Pfifferling's of L'Anglore fame, and is dedicated to producing unusually delicate wines from grapes grown in the baking-hot environs of Nîmes, situated between the Southern Rhône and Languedoc. Despite being born into a winemaking family, there was no room on the family farm for him so he spent his early adult life as a mechanic before re-discovering his love for wine and founding Mouressipe. 

After a short maceration of part foot-pressed grapes and part whole bunch, the wine sees six months élevage in old wooden barrels. This is one of only two wines not matured in fibreglass at Mouressipe. This allows the tannins of the thick-skinned Mourvèdre grape to mellow slightly. Alain only works with bush vines, traditional in this region due to the shade they provide the grapes from the relentless sun. 

Tasting notes : Crushed Red Berries, Leathery, Herbal. Light-bodied, but with deceptively grippy tannins and a touch of funk.

Food pairing : This is an excellent option for a cheese and charcuterie board : the fattiness of cheeses and cured meats will ameliorate the tannins, while it has enough intensity to stand up to stronger cheeses.