The Estate : For more than nine generations the Simon-Vallat family has owned an old water mill built in one of their vineyards. The millstone dating as far back as 1710 still exists. In 1892, the mill stopped grinding the cereals which people used to bring to it from the surrounding villages. The whole story could have inspired Southern French writers like Marcel Pagnol or Alphonse Daudet. they might have written about how the mill expired waterless by its dry creek, the Pourpré (this name probably means Stony or Rolling Stones in Occitan). This creek gathered the waters from several springs. But one day, one of them was sold by the local authorities, and deviated to Bagnols sur cèze. Olivier Delcourt Françoise SIMON's great grand father was told this wouldn't affect the activity of his mill. But in fact, it did and never again did the little mill have enough water to make its millstones turn. Even the newspapers wrote endlessly about the deviated spring and the terrible consequences for the mill. But nothing could be done to save it... The poor owner, who loved his mill so much, gave its name to his estate and turned his eyes to his wineyard and tried to forget about the little mill. But, you can still hear this story in the grapevine .... Olivier Delcourt The wine-making is guaranteed by the owner Françoise Simon. Journalist for the written press and television in Paris, the holder of a PHD in English and a former lecturer at the University of Nanterre, Françoise Simon became a wine maker after the death of her father in 1995. The sandy hillsides, the south of France sun and the patience of nine generations shaped the vineyard of this Estate which produces 1000 hectoliters a year. On nearly 21 hectares the following grape varieties are planted: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut, Bourboulenc etc... O. Delcourt Our Awards: Each year our wines are given various awards Patrick Dussert-Gerber in his wine guide has given my production Four Stars in 1997, 2001, 2002 and Five Stars in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007,2008, 2009,2010 (with a Special Prix d'Excellence) and 2011. For any further information, pricelist or samples, Please contact us Contact us : (33) 04 66 89 73 98 (33) 06 13 22 33 21 Colombier Sabran 30200 FRANCE O. Delcourt |
The Red wine : The red, a blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache is very classical and elegant, with round tannins. Very fine to the nose, intense, perfumed, fleshy in mouth dominated by ripe red fruits and blackcurrant, accompanied by notes of spice and autumn leaves. It associates softness, a velvety texture, elegance and structure. To serve on roasted meat, game and.... with all your cheese. It has impressed the judges in many wine competitions: The2007 Red won a Silver Medal atThe Concours Général Agricole in Paris. Our special cuvée"CARMEN" oaked for 18 months, has won a gold medal at the Concours de l'Union des Oenologues des Grands Vins du Languedoc Roussillon. It is as beautiful as a wine named Carmen can be and it will lit Passion in your eyes when you taste it. The Rosé: Our rosé "La Vie en Rose", is obtained through a bleeding of Syrah, Grenache and Cinsaut, sometimes with a bit of Mourvedre. It is a wine of character luscious and rich, dashing and spiced, with the flavourings of strawberry, raspberry and red currant . It has to be drank chilled and in the shade. Mellow in mouth, it is perfect with Mediterranean or very spicy exotic dishes.The rosé 2006 and 2007 both won medals at the very prestigiousConcours Général Agricole in Paris.  The White : is a dry wine which can be enjoyed as an aperitive wine as well as with sea food, fish or shells. Very pleasant with une Bourride or moules marinières. It is made with Bourboulenc, Ugni blanc, Clairettes blanches and Grenache blanc, all hand picked on the same day and pressed together. the white vineyards are very old. In fact, one of them hasn't been replanted since 1901.The direct pressing of Bourboulenc, Ugni blanc and Grenache blanc gives this white wine a great freshness. It is ideal with seafood. Our special oaked white wine is named "VENUS" notes of white flowers and of honey with a beautiful persistence in mouth, roundness associated to notes of vanillawill create an emotion you won't easily forget. Our Côtes du Rhône Will be a delight on your table and add distinction to the meals you serve to your family and friends. |
