L'Ombre Fraîche 2023
Domaine d'Escausses is the winery of the Balaran family from Gaillac in the French Tarn region. In this relatively unknown region in the French Sud-Ouest, not far from the historic towns of Albi and Toulouse, Jean-Marc Balaran works with different indigenous grape varieties and makes the wines according to the tradition of the Tarn. His wines are the reference for other winemakers in the region. Jean-Marc has since been elected mayor of the village.
| Country | France |
| Region | Sud-Ouest |
| Protected Designation of Origin | Gaillac AOP |
| Wine maker | Domaine d'Escausses |
| Grape varieties | 65% Muscadelle, 15% Loin de l'Oeil, 20% Sauvignon Blanc |
| Terroir | The vines are 5 to 20 years old. The vineyards are located on the Plateau Cordais which consists of soft clay and limestone hills. |
| Harvest method | Partially handpicked and partially mechanic. |
| Yield per hectare | 6 tons per hectare. |
| Vinification | The must is fermented at a temperature of 15-18 C. It is then aged for three months sur lies (with the yeasts) in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then clarified and stabilized and bottled early, as early as February, to preserve its freshness as much as possible. |
| Impression | In the first two years after harvest, fresh citrus, white flowers, fennel and gooseberries dominate. The wine is tight, juicy and thirst-quenching. After two years, the juice becomes more tropical and the wine slightly more vegetal. |