The release of Muse de Miraval 2023, organized by Wine&Spirits Company.
17-06-2024In the morning we were welcomed at the beautiful location of L7 in Boxtel. The restaurant was transformed down to the smallest details into an ode to Château Miraval. You imagined yourself in the Mediterranean atmosphere of Provence. We started with a masterclass given by Maxime Perrin, from the renowned Château de Beaucastel from the southern Rhône, one of the family businesses behind Miraval. He took us along in the journey that Miraval had made in recent years.
Many summers ago, the Pitt family flew over the château and decided to rent it for two summers. This renting turned into buying it 12 years ago. Before this time, Miraval was already an existing wine estate with a focus on white wine, made from the Rolle grape.
The domain is divided into two appellations; AOP Côtes de Provence and AOP Côtes de Varois. Spread over smaller plots laid between the forests, to make optimal use of the micro climate. Because it is located off the coast and at altitude, it is a relatively cooler part of Provence. The vineyards are located between 330 and 350 meters in altitude and therefore benefit from abundant sunshine and cooler nights, which ensures a slower ripening that preserves the fresh acidity in the grape.
However, it has more advantages; the tannins can fully mature. In addition, it prevents too much development of sugar, which would result in a higher alcohol percentage. The subsoil consists of clay and limestone and when planting vineyards, the limestone must first be excavated and crushed. The higher vineyards are laid out in the form of terraces.
Water is a problem in Provence, it hardly ever rains. Yet when it rains, it pours. However, due to the organic working and the biodiversity created in the vineyards, this is not a problem for Miraval. Due to the many insects in the soil, the soil is well drained and a natural water deposit is created, from which the plant benefits.
Provence is known worldwide for its Rosé wines, including Château Miraval. However Château Miraval also make a very fine white wine of 100% Rolle and two Champagnes.
In the past, rosé was a by-product of the production of red wine, it was the first press/finish. Quick to bring to market and therefore provided earlier. Until about 15 years ago, this was the way to work. Now the focus is different, no longer on making red wine, but rosé wine. This also requires a different layout of the vineyard, for example no southern exposure and the use of cooler parts. There are also differences in vinification, such as the use of stainless steel and concrete eggs instead of wooden barrels. Everything to keep the freshness.
Muse de Miraval
This day was all about Muse de Miraval. This wine comes from the two vineyards with the best terroir and the oldest vines of Grenache and Rolle. There are two sorting moments, one in the vineyard and one in the wine cellar. There is even a cellar specially built for this wine. The fermentation takes place with wild yeasts in concrete eggs, where the wine stays for 7 to 9 months. This unique shape keeps the wine moving, which ensures continuous contact with the lie. A kind of natural bâtonnage, but more subtle.
Concrete is also slightly porous, which means that the wine comes into contact with oxygen. This contributes to a lactose taste and provides structure. The yield differs per vintage, there is no ambition to produce more wine, the goal is to make high quality wine. If we are talking about production volume, this varies between 1.400 and 2.800 bottles. By the way, only Magnums and Jeroboams are made. A nice detail is that the bottles are made by hand and the design differs every year. Just like the wine itself, because there is no 'house style'. Only 60 bottles from the 2023 vintage are coming to the Netherlands, so it’s very exclusive.
The Lunch
Prior to lunch, we were treated to a glass of Champagne, Petit Fleur de Miraval. Oysters and amuse-bouches were served.
Starter
Tuna tartare | Gamba | Miraval Olive Oil
Chateau Miraval Rosé 2023
Mid-Course
Grilled turbot | XO sauce | spinach
Château Miraval white 2023
Main Course
Sea bass | lobster foam | Sea lavender
Muse de Miraval, the great 2023 Cuvée
Last Course
Miraval cocktail with their own honney
Thank you
Château Miraval
Wine & Spirits Company
Restaurant L7