Le Petit Mod'Amour Rosé 2023

Domaine Modat is a small, family-run winery in the commune of Cassagnes, nestled in the Agly Valley, 30km west of Perpignan at an altitude of 200-300m. Since founding the estate in 2007, Philippe Modat has worked the vineyards organically—achieving certification in 2014—and biodynamically, though without official certification. Today, the estate is in the capable hands of his dynamic and hard-working sons. The vineyards, composed primarily of well-drained Gneiss soils, are home to a range of indigenous Roussillon varieties, including remarkable 115-year-old Carignan. Over the last decade, the family has built a modern, carbon-neutral winery and deepened their commitment to biodynamic viticulture, focusing on restrained extraction, wild yeast fermentation, and minimal sulphur use. With 24 hectares under vine, meticulous selection is a priority. A green harvest is carried out before the main harvest, and all grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted. The Petit Mod’Amour wines are vinified entirely in stainless steel, while others see time in oak. Domaine Modat remains relatively under the radar, yet they produce a striking range of beautifully textured wines—delicate, fresh, and full of southern charm.

Hand harvested at optimum ripeness. Gently destemmed with any foreign objects discarded. Temperature-controlled maceration at low temperatures for one day to extract the fruit, followed by spontaneous fermentation and maceration in 500L white oak foudres and in stainless steel with gentle punch downs for 18 - 24 days. Aged on its less in stainless steel tanks and old oak for 8 months.

Direct and firm nose of bright red cherry; raspberry; pink grapefruit and rose petals. The palate has immediate high acidity with soft; textured red fruit; vanilla and some more lively lemon and grapefruit notes to keep the body in check. Raspberry; peaches and vanilla on the finish with scintillating acidity till the end. Moreish and textured.

Gammon

Cotes Catalan is possibly one of the most exciting and understated IGPs in the Languedoc and even in the whole of the South of France. Stretching from the base of the Pyrenees down to the Mediterranean coast it covers a range of Mediterranean terroirs surrounded by garrigue-covered hills and poor, dry soils. The hot climate, with low annual rainfall, ensures that the native varieties of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Rousanne, Viogner and Carignan ripen with concentration and power, whilst a fresh breeze up from the Med and down from the mountains ensures freshness and acidity. In the best sites, old vines and schistous soils, produce intensely mineral, flavourful and powerful reds and whites unlike any others.