Working in a wine shop, everyday I’m helping people find wines. Usually people will have an idea of what they’re looking for but when someone’s unsure of what they like or are looking to try something new I have a trick up my sleeve that I learned when I was a wine research assistant in college. Almost always in a blind tasting blends do better. For practical purposes this means that people are more likely to like a new wine they try if it’s a blend rather than 100% of a certain grape variety. Winemakers have known this trick for centuries, using blending to define their unique winemaking styles and valuing different grape varieties for contributing different components like body, acidity, tannins and aromatics.

Wisely, the Corbieres AOC has chosen to require all wines to be a blend of at least two grape varieties. Almost 20 varieties are allowed but the most popular are carignan, grenache, syrah, and mourvedre as red wine production dominates the region. The wines coming from Corbieres are generally fresh, aromatic and energetic and range in styles between producers.

This region has been thriving lately as the dry, windy and warm climate makes it very suitable for organic and biodynamic farming. Organic practices are nothing new here as the area has been a home to viticulture long before conventional farming practices were developed. With this advantage, local producers are able to make clean, low-intervention, organic wines at an excellent price point.

Chateau Ollieux Romanis is a benchmark producer of the area. The estate’s wine producing history dates back to the 18th century but it was very recently reunited after being split for over 130 years. Since then they’ve earned themselves an international reputation with their suave, satisfying wines. They are within the highly regarded Boutenac AOC but because of stricter regulations on varieties allowed in blends only their Cuvee Prestige Rouge is labeled Cru Boutenac.

Because of their location at the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains their soils have various alluvial content including limestones, sandstones, and clays. The mineralogical diversity contributes to the aromatic complexity of the wines. They are certified organic and practicing biodynamic with a biodynamic farming certification coming next year. No sulfur is used in the winemaking process which shocked me when tasting them as the wines are incredibly clean. We were impressed with the quality and nuance of these wines and are so happy to be able to sell them at an incredibly affordable price. If you’re looking to find your next go-to bottle these wines are a good bet!

Chateaux Ollieux Romanis Alba Rose Corbieres 2022- $22.99
80% Grenache Gris, 10% Grenache Noir, 10% Cinsault
Picked early for freshness and low alcohol of 12% ABV. Grenache Gris only gets 2-4 days of pre-fermentation skin contact to draw every so pale color and aromatics. Grenache Noir and Cinsault are picked early with Rosé intention and direct to press. Stainless steel and exists in an ethereal and delicate domaine between bright floral white and savory rosé.

Chateaux Ollieux Romanis Corbieres Cuvee Prestige Blanc 2021- $28.99
60% Roussanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 15% Marsanne
Picked early for low alcohol freshness of 12% ABV, with pre-fermentation skin contact at cool temperatures of 6-8 days to draw aromatics. Made in a reductive environment until briefly aged in neutral 600L Demi-Muid.

Chateaux Ollieux Romanis Corbieres Cuvee Prestige Rouge Cru Boutenac 2021- $22.99
45% Carignan, 25% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah, 10% Grenache Noir
Old Vine Carignan 60+yrs old, grown on sandstone and limestone. Half of the Carignan done with carbonic maceration with the other half fermented traditionally in stainless steel alongside the Syrah and Grenache Noir. Then aged in neutral 600L Demi-Muid.

Chateaux Ollieux Romanis Alba Rouge Corbieres 2020- $35.99
60% Grenache Noir, 40% Cinsault
Slow 23 day extended maceration of Grenache Noir at very cool temperatures. 60+yr old Grenache Noir grown on “Gris Soils” of Boutenac defining sandstone that contributes important freshness and aromatics. Transparency and aromatics preserved without use of oak.