Rose
The wish for this Rose was to achieve a fresh and very fruity wine. Four different grape varieties have been combined to create this wine; Syrah, Grenache noir, Merlot and Cabernet with specific percentages depending on the vintage. The grapes are put into vats by a gravity process, following de-stemming; there is no crushing or pumping in order to retain to a maximum the wholeness of the grape. The winemaking process commences with a skin soak followed by a chilled racking at 8°C. The juice is collected and the yeast is added after which controlled fermentation at 18 °C, takes place. .
Merlot
A traditional winemaking process is used for this grape with a de-stemmed harvest. The grapes are separated from their stalks before being put into the vats. Fermentation lasts around 7 to 9 days at a controlled temperature of 24°C, regulated by a chilling machine, to extract a maximum of aromas.
The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation.
Cabernet
The winemaking process for Cabernet is similar to that for Merlot, except that the winemaking temperatures are slightly higher to obtain a more structured wine that will then go on to mature for one year in oak barriques.
If this style of winemaking and ageing is considered a classic one, used by many winemakers, we are extremely attentive to one particular rule that governs all the different stages of the process; “hygiene”.
Our concern for hygiene influences all the different stages of the winemaking process. As well as the twice daily cleaning of the cellar, each machine and pipe are disinfected after use.
The same pump, pipe, press or vat used 4 times in one day will be cleaned and disinfected 4 times.
This particular attention to quality is accompanied by regular lab (Riere Laboratory) controls on all our wines. Wine is a living material that is in a perpetual state of evolution (chemically and physically). Analysis ensures that we are aware of any evolution of wine in the vats, at any moment during the winemaking process and enables us to carry out any necessary corrective actions in time.
If nature can be considered the master craftsman of wine, then Mas Chichet hopes to control the tools being used.