Grape varieties on our plots
The art of blending is the final touch that the winemaker gives to his cuvées, and the richness of Mediterranean wines.
Domaine Le Novi uses a panel of 12 grape varieties, soon to be 15, from over 35 plots. This enables a fine search for subtlety and taste. Romain likes to mix 3 or 4 grape varieties in his cuvées, blending pre-harvest and intermediate varieties with a good proportion of late-harvest varieties.
White
The 3 most important features of Domaine Le Novi
Grenache gris & blanc
Origin: Catalonia, Spain
Alias: None known.
Grape varieties: second period, intermediate harvest date.
Characteristics: Interesting dry wines, long on the palate, full and fat due to the large amount of glycerol produced.
Vermentino
Origin: Mediterranean region, France and Italy.
Alias: 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.
Alias: Roussette and Picardan in the Bouches du Rhône.
Grape variety: a long-cycle variety, it is harvested in the second half of October on the estate.
Characteristics: It produces fine wines with a low alcohol level and a good liveliness.
Secondary grape varieties essential to the score
Clairette blanche
Origin: Aude or Provence, France.
Alias: Olivette, Poupe de Gate and Blanquette.
Grape variety: Due to a very late budburst, it is harvested at the beginning of October.
Characteristics: The wines obtained are full-bodied, dry, with a fresh, fruity and ethereal bouquet.
Roussanne
Origine: Dauphiné, France.
Alias: None known.
Grape variety: from the second harvest period.
Characteristics: The wines obtained are of great aromatic finesse (of flowers, fruit, oats and honey) with a good balance of acidity.
Ugni blanc
Origin: Toscane, Italy.
Alias: Trebbiano and Biancame in Italie, Talia in Portugal.
Grape variety: late, third harvest time, early October at the estate.
Characteristics: The wines are dry and fresh, sometimes considered nervous.
Viognier
Origin: Unspecified to date, Ardèche/Loire, France.
alias: Petit Vionnier and Galopine in the valley of the Isère.
Grape variety: from the second harvest period.
Characteristics: It is a very aromatic variety with notes of peach, apricot and honey.
Red
The 3 great grape varieties of the Rhône Valley
Grenache noir
Origin: Province of Aragon, Spain.
Alias: Bois Jaune and Carignane Rousse in Roussillon.
Grape variety: third period, intermediate harvest date.
Characteristics: A coulard grape variety that produces very full-bodied and fine wines.
Syrah
Origin: Dauphiné, France.
Alias: 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 with age.
Cinsault
Origin: Provence, France or South Italy.
Alias: Plant d’Arles in Luberon, Hermitage in South Africa.
Grape variety: third period, intermediate to late harvest date.
Characteristics: lightly coloured and low in alcohol, it is very well adapted to climate change. Raspberry dominates the bouquet, considered to be the Pinot Noir of Provence.
Small parts essential for long-lasting durability
Carignan
Origin: Province of Aragon, Spain.
alias: Plant Dur in Provence, Mazuela and Carinena in Spain.
Grape variety: third period, late harvest date
Characteristics : Carignan produces full-bodied wines with a nice acidic structure. This variety gives the wines a very good ageing potential.
Marselan
Origin: France, a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache Noir.
Alias: None.
Grape variety: third period, intermediate harvest date.
Characteristics: It is appreciated for its aromatic richness and its length in the mouth combining supple tannins and the absence of bitterness.
Grape varieties
outside of the appellation
Atypicals with climate adaptation properties
Counoise
Origin: Vaucluse, France.
Alias: Le Moustardier in Vaucluse.
Grape variety: third period, intermediate harvest date.
Characteristics: The wines are bright, lightly coloured 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: Probablement Languedoc, France.
Alias: Aragnan noir, Hulliade, Coupade.
Grape variety: second harvest period.
Characteristics : This variety gives light and slightly coloured wines, it is a first cousin of Cinsault and Counoise.