Description
Erwan Masse’s Buissonnière cuvée is a 100% Viognier wine that has undergone three weeks of maceration, sourced from the same plot as the Invitation. This is followed by a year’s ageing in egg-shaped barrels, resulting in a splendid wine… of just 700 bottles. The term ‘orange wine’ is aptly applied to this wine, with its deep, brilliant coppery-gold colour. The aromatic complexity is delightful: a nose of peach, apricot and citrus peel, with hints of bergamot and peppery notes. An appetising salinity dominates the palate and its 12% alcohol content. This elegant, nuanced maceration will be a perfect match for flavourful poultry or braised cabbage with Morteau sausage.
The estate
You may not yet be familiar with Erwan Masse, but his name will soon be on the lips of Rhône wine enthusiasts. Established in 2017, his estate is located in Sarras in the Ardèche, within the Saint-Joseph appellation. The 3.5 hectares of Syrah, Grenache, Viognier and Marsanne are situated on a plateau at an altitude of around 350 metres. The shallow granite soils allow for slow ripening, moderate alcohol levels and lovely acidity. Erwan Masse’s wines (L’invitation, Marsanne, Parenthèse, La Robe Rouge, Saint-Joseph) are simply luminous and precise, prioritising fruit and finesse over extraction or excessive ageing.
From organic farming to agroforestry
Although the organic certification process began in 2021, the vineyard has been managed using organic farming methods from the outset. The soil is sown with cover crops, and the rows are weeded mechanically. On the hillside plots, the soil is worked using a horse. Since 2020, Erwan Masse has been planting using agroforestry methods, combining vines with apple or pear trees on the same plot. Ultimately, the estate is not expected to exceed 5 hectares. The harvest is carried out by hand, as are many of the tasks on the estate, and the winemaking is minimalist.
What to eat with a Buissonnière Viognier from Erwan Masse?
- Asian cuisine with ginger
- Braised cabbage with Morteau sausage
- Flavourful poultry (duck, guinea fowl, goose, pigeon, etc.)
- Apricot foie gras terrine
- Cheeses
