Domaine GREGOIRE HOPPENOT Fleurie 'Indigene' 2021

• Wine Region: Beaujolais
• Terroir: Fleurie
• Grape Variety: 100% Gamay
• Color: Red

Fleurie `Indigene` is a blend of young vines from two parcels, 'Les Roches' and 'Les Garants'. The vineyards are situated around 300 metres above sea level on south and east-facing slopes, trained in a double cordon system. The soil is very light and sandy over granite bedrock. Fleurie `Indigene` is the first of the Hoppenot wines to be organically certified.

Tasting Note: Ruby red in colour, `Indigène` displays elegant notes of raspberry, cherry and dried rose. It is well-structured on the palate with bright red fruit flavours, lifted acidity and polished tannins.

About the winery:

Gregoire Hoppenot decided to start his own business at Les Roches in Fleurie, after years of experience in the wine business. His first wines were launched in 2018, and with success. His domain includes two slopes with very different characteristics, and between those slopes there is also a lot of diversity, variations in geology, aspects and exposures, and altitudes. He has five different 'climates' across the two slopes. The grapes for this wine come from the vineyards Les Garants and Les Roches. The first is really typical of Fleurie, poor granite soils with quartz are clearly visible here and have a special effect on the vines. The vines in Les Roches are deeper in the ground and dominated by granite and sand. The harvest is entirely manual in order to select the best grapes directly in the vineyard.

Named ‘Discovery of the Year’ in 2021’s Revue des Vins de France, Grégoire Hoppenot installed himself in Fleurie following two years as director of the Chapoutier-owned Maison Trénel in Beaujolais. Grégoire has leased nine hectares, along with a small plot in Morgon, which comprises several enviable parcels: Les Moriers, Les Garants, Poncié, La Roilette and Les Roches in Fleurie, and Corcelette in Morgon. Grégoire is meticulous and gentle in both vineyards and cellar. He describes his winemaking as ‘intuitive’, using indigenous yeasts and low sulphur, and practises organic farming in the vineyard.