Lionel Osmin, Villa La Vie en Rose, Négrette, IGP, 2022, Süd-West Frankreich

Profile :
Négrette is one of the best grape varieties of the French Southwest for producing rosé wines. As this native grape variety is mostly planted to the north of Toulouse, Osmin has given this blend a name that renders homage to the famous "Ville Rose". Its pale, delicate colour, its very fruity, expressive style and its characteristically refreshing nature makes this rosé a polyvalent and festive wine.

Viticulture:
Terroir : Négrette is a great variety typical of the region surrounding Toulouse. These rather deep soils contain substantial reserves of water, permitting the Négrette to mature without suffering from August heat, thereby protecting its aromatic potential.
Climate : Essentially under oceanic influence, it nevertheless begins to feel Mediterranean effects in mid-summer. Temperate September means the grape variety's acidity potential is preserved, making it possible to create rosés that are refreshing, aromatic and without excessive heaviness.

Wine-making and aging :
A great deal of work is conducted beforehand to choose the plots to be harvested. The harvest period itself is exceedingly short; the grapes must be mature but not overly so, because Négrette produces a great deal of polyphenols (= tannins and colour, hence its name). Owing to these imperatives regarding the date, the harvesting is conducted by machine and takes place during the first two weeks of September. The grapes go directly to pneumatic closed basket presses and are immediately pressed. This juggling act is indispensable for extracting the aromas but only few tannins from the grape skins. Cold fermentation is guided to optimize the juices' aromatic potential. Aging is reduced to a strict minimum and early bottling (in January) guarantees the fruit's purity.