Domaine Salel et Renaud Village: Ardèche Cévennes Appellation: 13 hectares Grower: Elise Renaud et Benoit Salel Website: https://www.domainesalelrenaud.com/ Downloadable PDF The great strength of the vineyards of southern Ardèche is the compatibility between its grape varieties and its terroirs. Rhone varieties that are found in other prestigious appellations flourish here, but also flourish indigenous and ancient grape varieties that have fallen into oblivion. Elise and Benoit have been doing patient work for several years as ampelographic archivists to find and replant old varieties which were once grown in the Ardèche Cévennes. Today, next to the vines of Viognier, Vermentino, Gamay, Syrah, Grenache you will find the native southern Ardéchois grape varieties which are being patiently brought back into cultivation after long research (bibliographical, prospecting in the vineyard…): Chatus, Dureza, Raisaine , Roussanne, Picardan… others are being saved and multiplied. For Elise and Benoit, these indigenous grape varieties are the soul and identity of the Cévennes Ardéchoises. They are perfectly adapted to the Cévennes terroirs. Their objective is to recultivate these grape varieties in order to produce authentic wines with true identity. “These grape varieties were widely cultivated in our region, before the phylloxera crisis and until the 1940s/1950s. The bibliographic archives praise many of them, both agronomically and in terms of wine quality. Already in 1599, Oliver de Serre listed the main grape varieties of the Kingdom, including Chatus and Picardan…. For Elise and Benoit “There is nothing to invent, the future is simply what has been forgotten.” Testaire, Coteaux de l'Ardèche – IGP Ardèche Made from 100% Raisaine. This grape variety originates from the Cévennes Ardéchoise in the Joyeuse - Largentière sector and their knowledge, Elise and Benoit are the sole winemakers to be making a 100% Raisaine cuvée, a forgotten ancient grape variety. A cooperative winery had started work to reclassify this grape variety but abandoned the work along the way. They took over the file, planted an experimental plot in 2017 (they had previously planted vines before to assess its potential), finalized and financed the registration of the grape variety in the official catalog. On December 8, 2018, Raisaine was officially listed in the catalog of cultivable grape varieties in France. They are convinced that this variety will find its place as it renders the fresh and thirst-quenching white wines, which they strive to make. " We are a little 'stubborn' ("testaire") and when we believe in something, we go through with it, even if we are alone." Manual harvest sorted by the pickers. Vinification in vats, aging on lees in vats. The results are a thirst-quenching white wine with fresh notes and invigorating aromatic palate. Syramuse, Coteaux de l'Ardèche – IGP Ardèche Made of 100% Chatus, young vines. Manual harvest sorted by the pickers. Vinification, maceration for 15 days, daily pumping over, aging in vats. Chatus is a grape variety originating from the Cévennes Ardéchoises. In 1599, Olivier De Serres named Chatus as "one of the best grape varieties in the Kingdom". Before phylloxera, Chatus was cultivated in Ardèche but also in Drôme and Isère. In the Drôme, it was called "Corbel" or "Syramuse" and it was grown on the slopes of Hermitage. Since then, it has completely disappeared from Hermitage. Genetically, Chatus is part of the Serine family. This family includes grape varieties such as Syrah, Viognier, Roussanne, Dureza, Mondeuse, Marsanne... This new cuvée is made to express the fruity and gourmet qualities of Chatus. Eterna, Vin de France 100% Dureza. A variety originating from the North of Ardèche, which was also grown in Southern Ardèche before phylloxera. This red grape variety is one of the two parents of Syrah (along with Mondeuse Blanche). There is 1ha of Dureza cultivated in France and in the world... But since then, large estates in the Rhône Valley have taken an interest in this grape variety to replant it. Manual harvest sorted by the pickers, maceration for 20 days, daily pumping over, aging in vats. Etèrna means Eternal in Occitan. The magic of the vine means that ther can be several generations of vines, descendants, ascendants, cultivated at the same time. The vines are timeless and eternal for those who know how to preserve them. "It is a tribute to our elders, our parents, our children and generations to come. A heritage to safeguard and preserve. We believe that the Future is simply what has been forgotten..." Eterna is a powerful red wine on the nose, delicate and elegant on the palate.