Domaine de La Sanglière
(An Online Virtual Visit)
by
Terry Sullivan
Images provided by
Domaine de La Sanglière
unless otherwise noted
This article describing Domaine De La Sanglière is based on the online interview, online data and photos supplied by Domaine De La Sanglière. Domaine De La Sanglière also graciously sent us seven samples of wine. This article was written during the time of the world-wide 2020-2021 pandemic. Annya Devictor, Export Manager for Domaine De La Sanglière answered our questions.
Summary: In the commune of Bormes-Les-Mimosas in Provence, just 600 meters from the Mediterranean Sea lies the vineyards and estate of Domaine de La Sanglière. The winery produces different ranges of wines many featuring a white, rosé and a red. This family-run winery and vineyards offers a delightful experience for wine enthusiasts.
Domaine De La Sanglière is located in Provence in southeastern France. Vineyards are just 600 meters (1969 feet) from the Mediterranean Sea. The winery began in 1980 when François Devictor decided to settle in Provence and craft wines. François located a property close to the Mediterranean Sea in Bormes les Mimosas. The site consists of 42 hectares. The estate was remodeled and a cellar was built. Now, François’ sons, Rémy and Olivier Devictor, manage the estate and are the winemakers. Rémy’s eldest son, Pierre, supervises all the vineyard work. He has led the vineyard from conventional farming to organic farming. Pierre is also a passionate winemaker and has two children. The family works together as a team in everything they do. According to Annya Devictor, those who work at the estate are great professionals who are enthusiastic, warm and have joyful personalities.
Vineyards
The vineyards comprise of 20 hectares (a bit over 49 acres) of land. Grape varieties planted include Rolle (Vermentino), Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Being so close to the Mediterranean Sea, we were interested in how the vineyards benefitted from the terroir. Annya answered:
Our vineyard is only 600 meters away from the coastline. This is very beneficial for growing the vines. We have a microclimate here with daily marine breezes, which avoids very cold winters and risks of frost, and allows more moderate summer high temperatures.
Provence sun, our vines are very fortunate to enjoy more than 300 days of wonderful sunshine per year.
Wind, another integral and distinctive part of Provence's terroir is the well-known wind of the region, Mistral, which cools down the vineyards and, above all, protects them from humidity-related illnesses.
Soil, La Sangliere primarily consists of mica schist, a positively transformed metamorphic rock made up mainly of layered minerals. It's a unique soil found only in this part of Provence, named as AOP Côtes de Provence La Londe, a kind of sub-appellation of premium selected parcels.
During an online presentation by APVSA in November of 2020, Annya talked about the vineyard and some of the wines. One of the photos we saw was sheep in the vineyards. We asked Annya about the sheep.
These are sheep from our fellow shepherds from the French Alps. Usually, they come down from the snowy Alps in February, when there is nothing to eat there, while nature is waking up here in the south. Their treat is the cover crop and a very safe environment at the Domaine. Every year we welcome about 200 sheep who stay in the vineyards for approximately 2 weeks before the vine’s buds appear. Sheep are part of our biodiversity strategy at La Sangliere for the natural balance of the vineyards environment.
Bats also help us naturally fight against vine-munching insects by hunting them at night. To attract bats and stimulate their reproduction on the property, we have built more than 100 bat-friendly habitats on the vineyards.
We have also been partnering with local beekeepers to enrich even further La Sangliere’ s ecosystem. The estate is proud to have achieved the High Environmental Value Certification Level 3 label. HVE3 is the highest of the three levels of environmental farming certification. Domaine de La Sangliere has been in conversion versus biological agriculture. The certification will be obtained in 2022.
Wine Journey
We asked Annya (pictured below with Rémy) how she and her husband, Rémy, became interested and passionate about wine. Annya wrote:
My husband Rémy and his brother Olivier grew up among the vines. Their father created the Domaine de la Sangliere from scratch in 1980, when Rémy was 13 years old and Olivier 7 years old. From the first years of operation, the brothers were always there, learning from the father and helping with everything. I think their passion for wine was growing up gradually directly from their environment.
My way to the wine’s world started from the cup of coffee. I met Rémy in the coffee shop six years ago. He said I was charming and, instead of the second coffee, had ordered a glass of champagne for me at 8.30 am, speaking that no big story starts with someone drinking a coffee.
At that moment, I realized that it was Him, who would lead me towards the two big stories of my life: family and wine.
Wines
Domaine de la Sanglière produces wines from two appellations: AOP Côtes de Provence and AOP Côtes de Provence La Londe. Annya explained that the AOP Côtes de Provence La Londe vineyards, "are located on the coastal headland watching the the sea and facing the Golden Islands: Porquerolles, Port-Cros, and Le Levant. The soil of la La Londe is unique in Provence, composed of mica schist, a highly transformed metamorphic rock made up mainly of layered minerals. The vines fully benefit from this terroir and produce the wines extremely fine, round, caressing, a little airy, endowed with a delicate and saline freshness. We can feel very strong character and perfect length."
Domaine de la Sanglière produces wines in five collections. The Apogée and Prestige collections are from grapes grown in the AOP Côtes de Provence La Londe appellation. The Spéciale and Signature collections are made with grapes from the AOP Côtes de Provence vineyards.
Cuvée Apogée
The 2019 Apogée Rosé, AOP Côtes de Provence La Londe (pictured right by Wine Trail Traveler) is a blend of of Grenache and Cinsault with a splash of Syrah. The 12.5% alcohol wine has a peach color with a reddish-orange hue. The aroma offers red berry fruits. The taste reminds me of a fruit salad with hints of raspberry and strawberry. The finish is crisp and fruity. There is some mineral on the aftertaste. The Apogée was paired with Thanksgiving dinner. The crispness of the wine’s finish was cleansing. This helped all the different flavors of roast turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes and gravy to match nicely with the wine. There was a hint of cranberries in the wine’s taste when paired with the meal.
Provence rosé wines are very food friendly. They also look festive and can match holidays throughout the year.
Cuvée Speciale
The 2019 White, AOP Côtes de Provence is made with 100% Rolle grapes. This 13% alcohol wine had a bright yellow color with a light gold hue. The aroma was floral and fruity. The taste was reminiscent of apricots, grapefruit, roses, honeysuckle and a hint of salt. The finish was crisp and fruity. The wine would make a wonderful year-long aperitif. We paired it with fried pork and mushrooms with rice mixed with onions and corn.
The 2019 Rosé, AOP Côtes de Provence is a refreshing blend of Grenache and Cinsault. The wine had a pink color with orange hue. The rosé had 13% alcohol. The floral and fruity aroma was compelling you to taste the wine. The complex taste had strawberries, peaches, grapefruit and a faint hint of salt. The wine was very refreshing with a crisp and fruit finish. We paired the wine with a chili pizza.
The 2019 Red, AOP Côtes de Provence was a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 13% alcohol wine had a translucent dark ruby color with a light ruby/pink rim. The aroma was like a black fruit salad. The taste offered blackberries, black plums, black raspberries and baking spices. The wine had a full body and moderate tannins. The fruity finish yielded to spices especially white and black pepper, cloves and allspice.
Cuvée Prestige
The 2019 Rosé, AOP Côtes de Provence is a refreshing blend of Grenache and Cinsault. The wine had a pink color with orange hue. The rosé had 13% alcohol. The floral and fruity aroma was compelling you to taste the wine. The complex taste had strawberries, peaches, grapefruit and a faint hint of salt. The wine was very refreshing with a crisp and fruit finish.
The 2019 Prestige White, AOP Côtes de Provence La Londe was crafted entirely out of the Rolle grapes.The grapes were from selected parcels. With 13% alcohol the wine had a yellow color with gold hue. Flowers and yellow stone fruits were on the noticeable aroma. The taste included roses, apricots and grapefruit. The finish was crisp and fruity. This wine pairs well with Bouillabaisse.
The 2019 Prestige Rosé, AOP Côtes de Provence La Londe has a peach color with light red hue. The wine, with 13% alcohol, was a blend of Grenache and Cinsault. The aroma was reminiscent of yellow stone fruits, minerals and some spices. The taste included pear, apple and grapefruit with a hint of minerality. The finish is very crispy, refreshing and a blending of fruits and spices. The spiciness kicks in on the long aftertaste. This wine would make a wonderful aperitif any time of year. We paired it with a pork roast.
Prestige Red 2019, AOP Côtes de Provence La Londe (pictured left by Wine Trail Traveler) had a purple color with a red hue. The 13% alcohol wine was a blend of Grenache and Syrah. The aroma was noticeable while pouring into a glass. Black fruits were on the aroma. The taste was like a fresh black fruit salad. There were blackberries, black plums, raspberries and spices on the taste. The full bodied wine had bold tannins. On the finish, fruit yielded to spices. This wine pairs well with grilled beef as well as roasted pigeon topped with porcini mushrooms.
Wine Tourism
The winery is open for wine enthusiasts to visit. Tours are offered in French, English, Russian and Ukrainian. A popular tour is the Safari Tour at Domaine de la Sanglière. Visitors can discover the vineyards and the estate in a retro Land Rover Defender. Annya mentioned the tour:
For 2 hours, our guests indulge themselves in a winery atmosphere. We offer aperitif with our wines in the heart of the vineyards, accompanied by typical Provençal amuse (bouches crafted by local producers). Sometimes an aperitif is followed by a dinner on our home terrace, cooked for all guests by Remy. These are magical moments when all make new friends, discover Provence from coulisse, laugh and drink lots of rosé.
A strong family tie to the earth, Provence and to crafting wines make Domaine de La Sanglière a wonderful winery to visit while in Southern France. Especially enjoy their rosé wine with the local foods from Provence. Pair with anchoïade or Provençal tapenade. The wine will match also with seafood, salads with citrus and Mediterranean pastas.
Domaine de La Sanglière
3886, route de Léoube
83230 Bormes-Les-Mimosas
Article written December 2020.
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