Le Péché Originel (2023) - Domaine Raymond Usseglio
The Cinsault vines used for this wine have an average age of 60 years and grow on sandy soils in the Lirac area.
Le Péché Originel (2023) - Domaine Raymond Usseglio
Type: Red Wine
Appellation: Vin de France
Grape variety: Cinsault
Vintage: 2023
Winery: Domaine Raymond Usseglio
Alcohol: 14
The appellation: Vin de France
Vin de France is the broadest and most flexible category in the French wine classification, allowing producers to create wines without specific geographical restrictions and with greater freedom in the choice of grape varieties and winemaking techniques. Introduced in 2009 to replace the "Vin de Table" category, Vin de France allows producers to blend grapes from different French regions, without having to comply with the strict rules of the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) or the Indications Géographiques Protégées (IGP). This allows greater experimentation, giving rise to wines that can be modern, innovative and accessible.
Find out more about Vin de FranceWhat to eat with Le Péché Originel
Who makes it: Domaine Raymond Usseglio
Founded in 1964 by Raymond Usseglio, the estate has its roots in 1931, when his father Francis moved from Piedmont to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Today the third generation, represented by Stéphane Usseglio, runs the estate with passion and dedication. The production philosophy rests on: Certified biodynamic farming (ECOCERT and Demeter) Spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts Use of amphorae and large casks for ageing Bringing out the identity of the terroir
Find out more about Domaine Raymond UsseglioThe vine of Le Péché Originel
Cinsault
Cinsault is a black grape variety native to southern France, loved for its ability to produce light, fresh and fragrant wines, with soft tannins and marked versatility. Traditionally used as a blending grape to soften more tannic, structured wines, today Cinsault is enjoying a rediscovery as a single variety, thanks to its ability to give easy-drinking reds and elegant, aromatic rosés. In Italy it is present in small quantities (above all in Puglia and in some areas of Sardinia), but it finds its greatest expression in Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon, South Africa and in some areas of Lebanon.
Find out moreLe Péché Originel: the Lirac area
Lirac
Lirac is a renowned AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) on the right bank of the Rhône, in the Gard department, in France, directly opposite Châteauneuf-du-Pape.It is one of the historic areas of the southern Vallée du Rhône, known for its rich, spicy reds, but also for the production of elegant rosés and fresh, complex whites. Thanks to soils of galets roulés (rolled pebbles), red clay and sand, and to a hot, sunny climate ventilated by the Mistral, the wines of Lirac have concentration, finesse and great aromatic expression.It is considered one of the emerging appellations of the Rhône Valley and one offering excellent value for money.
Find out more about LiracClimate: Mediterranean
Altitude: Low Altitude (0-200 m above sea level)
Soil: Sandy / Silty
Geographical setting: River
Profile of Le Péché Originel
Primary aromas: Red fruits (raspberry, cherry), rose, black tea
Secondary aromas: Orange zest, plum, milk chocolate
Tertiary aromas: Notes of liquorice and Mediterranean aromatic plants
Tasting notes: On the nose, the wine stands out for its lively fruitiness, with floral and red-fruit aromas enriched by shades of Mediterranean aromatic plants. In the mouth it offers a complex aromatic palette, combining notes of rose, black tea, plum, milk chocolate, liquorice, orange zest and stone fruit. The texture is light and soft, with perfect balance and an elegant tannic structure.
| Sulphites | yes |
| Body | Light, with good flow |
| Acidity | Fresh |
| Tannin | Soft and well integrated |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Finish | Medium, with fruity and floral notes |
| Colour | Bright ruby red |
| Clarity | Clear |
| Body | Light |
Winemaking methods used for Le Péché Originel
Spontaneous fermentation
Spontaneous fermentation is one of the most fascinating and natural techniques in winemaking, relying solely on the indigenous yeasts present on the grape skins and in the cellar environment. Widely valued in the world of natural and biodynamic wine, it brings out biodiversity and terroir, giving the wine a unique and authentic character.
Find out moreShort maceration (6-8 days)
Short maceration (6-8 days) is a winemaking technique used to obtain wines that are fresher, fruitier and with a softer tannic structure than those from longer macerations. This method is particularly used for producing light, young red wines, rosés and some macerated whites, allowing a controlled extraction of colour, aromas and tannins without weighing down the profile of the wine.
Find out moreAgeing methods used for Le Péché Originel
In concrete (1–6 months)
Ageing in concrete vats for 1–6 months is a practice increasingly appreciated in winemaking for its ability to combine stability, neutrality and natural micro-oxygenation. Concrete, a porous and thermally stable material, allows a gentle maturation of the wine, similar to that of wood but without imparting any aroma, keeping the varietal characteristics and the freshness of the fruit intact.
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