Grape varieties on our plots
" My maternal grandparents owned a mixed farming estate, including a vineyard planted exclusively with white grape varieties, and today this is one of the distinctive features of Domaine Le Novi. "
Domaine Le Novi's 15 grape varieties on more than 35 plots make up a highly fragmented vineyard. Over the years, we have deliberately focused on late-ripening, ancient and Provençal varieties, in order to adapt to the changing climate without denying our origins.
We like to mix 3 or 4 grape varieties in our cuvées, blending early and intermediate varieties with a good proportion of late varieties from the third harvest period.
Today, the Domaine has a strong "Vallée du Rhône Méridionale" identity due to its grape varieties, still dominated by Grenache Noir and Bourboulenc Blanc.
In 2015, we welcomed the massal of Bourboulenc B, an old grape variety from Provence. We have a reservoir of genes to face climate change.
We have always enjoyed a high proportion of white grape varieties on the estate, producing 40% white wines. This proportion is twice that of the appellation and four times that of the Rhône Valley.
This is part of the originality and identity of Domaine Le Novi.
Whites
The 3 most important features of Domaine Le Novi
Grenache gris et blanc
Origin: Catalonia, Spain.
Synonymy: None known.
Grape varieties: Second period, intermediate harvest date.
Characteristics: Interesting dry wines, long on the palate, full-bodied and fat thanks to the high glycerol content.
Vermentinu
Origin: Mediterranean arc, France and Italy.
Synonyms: Varlentin and Rolle in Provence, Malvoisie, Pigato and Agostenga in Italy.
Grape varieties: Second period, intermediate harvest date.
Characteristics: The wines are fine, balanced and richly aromatic, with floral, hawthorn and pear notes.
Bourboulenc
Origin: Provence, France.
Synonyms: Roussette and Picardan in Bouches du Rhône.
Grape variety: Long-cycle, it is harvested in the second half of October on the estate.
Characteristics: Produces fine, low-alcohol wines with good liveliness.
Secondary grape varieties essential to the score
Clairette blanche
Origin: Aude or Provence, France.
Synonyms: Olivette, Poupe de Gate and Blanquette.
Grape variety: Due to very late budburst, it is harvested in early October.
Characteristics: The wines obtained are full-bodied, dry, with a fresh, fruity, ethereal bouquet.
Roussanne
Origin: Dauphiné, France.
Synonymy: None known.
Grape variety: second harvest.
Characteristics: The wines obtained are of great aromatic finesse (flowers, fruit, oats and honey) with well-balanced acidity.
Ugni blanc
Origin: Tuscany, Italy.
Synonyms: Trebbiano and Biancame in Italy, Talia in Portugal.
Grape variety: Late-ripening, third harvesting season, early October on the estate.
Characteristics: Wines are dry and fresh, sometimes considered nervous.
Viognier
Origin: Undetermined to date, Ardèche/Loire, France.
Synonyms: Petit Vionnier and Galopine in the Isère valley.
Grape variety: second harvest period.
Characteristics: Very aromatic, with notes of peach, apricot and honey.
Reds
The 3 great grape varieties of the Rhône Valley
Grenache noir
Origin: Province of Aragon, Spain.
Synonyms: Bois Jaune and Carignane Rousse in Roussillon.
Grape variety: third period, intermediate harvest date.
Characteristics: A coulard grape variety that produces very full-bodied, fine wines.
Syrah
Origin: Dauphiné, France.
Synonyms: Hermitage and Schiraz in Australia, Balsamica in Argentina, Neretto and Bragiola in Italy.
Grape variety: Third period, intermediate harvest date.
Characteristics: Rich wines that develop a particularly powerful bouquet as they age.
Cinsault
Origin: Provence, France or southern Italy.
Synonyms: Plant d'Arles in Luberon, Hermitage in South Africa.
Grape variety: third period, intermediate to late harvest date.
Characteristics: low in color and alcohol, it is very well adapted to climate change. Raspberry dominates the bouquet, considered the Pinot Noir of Provence.
Small, indispensable pieces for long-lasting durability !
Carignan
Origin: Province of Aragon, Spain.
Synonyms: Plant Dur in Provence, Mazuela and Carinena in Spain.
Grape variety: Third period, late harvest date.
Characteristics: Carignan produces full-bodied wines with good acidity. This variety gives wines excellent ageing potential.
Marselan
Origin: France, a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache Noir.
Synonymy: None.
Grape variety: Third period, intermediate harvest date.
Characteristics: Appreciated for its aromatic richness and long finish, combining supple tannins and lack of bitterness.
Red wines
out of apellation
Atypicals with climate adaptation properties
Counoise
Origin: Vaucluse, France.
Synonymy: Le Moustardier in Vaucluse.
Grape variety: Third period, intermediate harvest date.
Characteristics: Bright, lightly-colored wines with low alcohol content. The bouquet is strongly spicy. It is often said that this variety brings freshness and suppleness to the blend.
Oeillade
Origin: Probably Languedoc, France.
Synonyms: Aragnan noir, Hulliade, Coupade.
Grape variety: second harvest period.
Characteristics: This variety produces light, light-colored wines, and is a first cousin of Cinsault and Counoise.