Serrat de la Plane VdF 2021

A dry red wine from Roussillon that brings together Mediterranean power and cool vibrancy. The structure stays taut, the tannin fine-grained, with an austere minerality carrying the wine through to the finish.

The grapes grow on the Serrat de la Plane, Catalan for rocky plateau, in southwestern Roussillon not far from the Spanish border. Georg Meissner took over parcels here that would otherwise have been grubbed up. The site is permanently exposed to cool wind: the air movement cools the grapes in the hot climate and preserves their freshness.

Single-varietal Grenache from vines that have endured for a century. Meissner teaches biodynamic viticulture according to Rudolf Steiner at Hochschule Geisenheim and has supported the respekt-BIODYN winegrowers' group since 2015 with his training program; the ongoing vineyard work is carried out by Flo Busch, with whom he also shares the cellar. Bottling takes place at the Moulin de Breuil in Montesquieu-des-Albères.

Dense ruby red with violet hues. On the nose, ripe dark forest berries, black cherry and wild herbs over a smoky coolness. Juicy and powerful, carried by freshness, fine-grained tannin and a mineral vein that defines the long finish.

Rosy roasted rack of lamb with herb crust, braised game or roasted duck breast. Meat-free options include ratatouille, mushroom ragout and braised beetroot.

Meissner produces just two wines, Vindemiatrix and Serrat de la Plane, in tiny quantities. The label carries the Demeter logo.