{"title":"Domaine des Cotes Rousses","description":"\u003cp\u003eNicolas Ferrand is doing his part to turn the Savoie into France’s next superstar wine region. From steep, sparse slopes — the same mountains his grandfather used to herd cattle on — he’s turning out some of the most compelling Alpine wines we’ve tasted in some time. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNicolas studied land management, intending to work as a typical French bureaucrat, until a tiny (1.5ha) parcel of land went up for sale in one of Savoie's premier locations for winegrowing, Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte. Preferring to live in the countryside, not just manage it from afar, Nicolas dove in headfirst. Any innate winemaking skill was bolstered by a proper enology education in Beaune and a stint with Pascal Quenard, another local vigneron. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the beginning, he’s farmed organically, and last year was certified biodynamic. His vineyards are plowed by horse, and fertilized by the herd of sheep he allows to roam in the winter. (He shares these sheep with another rising star Domaine des Ardoisieres.) He’s steadily increased his holdings to a whopping 6 hectares, but never wants to grow to a size one person can’t manage. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis pocket of the Savoie enjoys an almost Mediterranean climate, in spite of the snowy peaks dotting the area. The combination of southern exposure, steep slopes and relatively low altitude make for lots of sunshine, allowing grapes (but also almonds and herbs like thyme and oregano) to ripen fully, but slowly, developing lots of unique flavors.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/sf.flatiron-wines.com\/collections\/domaine-des-cotes-rousses.oembed","provider":"Flatiron SF","version":"1.0","type":"link"}