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The sultry side of Syra shows in this ’09, whose palate of ripe blackberries and strawberries, melted dark chocolate, cloves and lavender are delivered with a sumptuous mouth-feel. It’s a generous wine that verges on opulent, and it’s drinking now—and with only fifty cases produced, it’s drinking quickly.
- Country: France
- Region: Languedoc-Rousillon
- Subregion: Minervois
Robert Eden, 46, a bio-dynamic wine maker is building the world’s first hemp cellar in South of France’s Languedoc region, where he now lives with his wife and four daughters. When he was in college, Robert brewed and sold so much beer to his floor mates, they expelled him. His father, being Minister of Industry in England at the time, shipped him to Australia where his interest in wine and vineyards began by simply pruning vines. He went on to work in vineyards in Italy and Spain before taking over Château Maris in 1996. His business partner is Kevin Parker, the Global Head of Deutsche Bank’s Asset Management, who has set up one of the very few dedicated climate change research team and is one of the world’s largest climate change investors.
When the vineyard was purchased in Languedoc the initial yields were lower than expected. The soil was dead, due to the previous farmer’s overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, so Robert looked at ways of rejuvenating it, using compost. Biodynamic preparations were added to one organic pile of compost and another was left alone. After a while the biodynamic one had far more living organisms in it. The decision was then made and Francois Bouchet, a specialist in bio-dynamic vineyards, helped Chateau Maris get started.
The vines are now healthier and grow longer – and the quality of grapes is better. The entire estate is certified by both Demeter and Biodyvin. The fertilizer is compost made from cow and sheep manure plus some horse manure. Barley, bulgur and mustard is grown between rows and re-ploughed into the soil, along with the organic compost, to enrich it and to avoid farming in mono-culture. Château Maris also continues to perfect methods specifically adapted to its land. The estate uses its very own recipes of teas/tisanes of nettles and chamomile combining lavender and many minerals.
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