Press Releases
Louis Bernard Reports a Stellar 2003 Vintage
October 10th, 2003, Orange, France - Louis Bernard, a premier Southern Rhône viniculteur-éleveur,* completed its harvest at the end of September. Head Viniculturalist, Jean-François Ranvier, asserts that the 2003 vintage "is not only better than 2001" for Louis Bernard, "but will perhaps produce the most powerful wines ever vinified."
This year, the Côtes-du-Rhône's leading varietals, Grenache and Syrah, matured simultaneously, which allowed Louis Bernard to benefit from the naturally synergistic process that results from vinifying them together. François Dauvergne, General Manager, explains: "We brought the Grenache and Syrah in together, at optimal ripeness levels. When you vinify these two varietals concurrently, you achieve a superior result (?): the natural high alcohol of the Grenache grape intensifies the flavor, color and tannins of the Syrah berries."
Louis Bernard will also offer a 2003 Grande Réserve estate wine from Chartreuse de Bonpas, its new headquarters. According to Dauvergne, "the 2003 Grande Réserve already exhibits a rare richness and will demonstrate the fine potential of the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation." With this wine, Louis Bernard plans to elevate both the region and the property, which dates from the 13th century. Chartreuse de Bonpas is located near Avignon, at the gateway to the Côtes-du-Rhône, as its forty-two acres of Appellation d'Origine Controllée Grenache and Syrah vineyards are the first encountered when traveling from the South of France.
Louis Bernard produces a variety of whites and reds from the Côtes-du-Rhône, including offerings from the Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages, Côtes-du-Luberon, Lirac, Vacqueyras, Crozes-Hermitage, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The brand is imported by Boisset America in San Francisco, California.
*Viniculteur-éleveur is a new alternative to the traditional French term, négociant, in which the duties of viticulturalist and oenologist are combined to encompass all stages of the winemaking process, from the vineyard to the cellar.
