Beaumes de Venise Rouge ‘Dryade’, Domaine de Nymph

Unoaked Rhône Cru from this Organic estate

La Villa des Nymphes was taken over by Eric Petitjean in 2019, a previous grower in Champagne. The estate, based in Rasteau on the edge of the Massif des Baronnies, faces Mont Ventoux. Named after the discovery of an ancient alter dedicated to the Nymphs, a relic of the Roman era that was found in 1850 on the current site. The estate has exceptional terroirs of complex soil types make up the vineyards split over key villages, which are all certified organic. In the winery Christophe Didier prefers the use concrete eggs over oak, with a minimal intervention approach and the wines show great elegance and finesse.

The Beaumes de Venise vineyards are planted at 350m, on the slopes of the ‘`laces of Montmirail’, a jagged Jurassic mountain range. The vineyards soils are rocky, with marls and limestones. Grapes are selected carefully by hand and vinified separately. Spontaneous fermentation takes place in concrete eggs`, followed by 3 weeks maceration. The wine is aged in the concrete eggs for a further 2 years, leaving the wine soft and elegant. Dark chocolate, blackberry and earthiness fill the nose, followed with rich flavours of black fruits, pepper and olive tapenade. The finish is long with silky tannins.

Colour – Red
Producer – La Villa des Nymphes
Country – France
Region – Rhône
Vegan – Yes
ABV – 14.5%
Grapes – Grenache, Syrah
Vintage – 2023
Sustainability – Organic
Female Winemaker – No
Food Pairings – Roast Beef