Domaine Gayda En Passant Rouge

France’s Languedoc/Roussillon region is one of the largest viticultural zones in the world. It is home to a wide variety of grapes, terroirs, and producers. Domaine Gayda seeks to put this diversity of grapes and terroirs to good use, and they are succeeding. This past year, the estate’s Chemin de Moscou cuvee was chosen as the “Best Organic Wine of France” at the country’s leading wine fair. Their En Passant Rouge is a great introduction to their house style. 

En Passant Rouge is a multi-appellation blend with the Syrah coming from vineyards near Maury in the Roussillon and the Grenache coming from sites in and around Minervois. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel and cement to preserve varietal character, and the finished wine is great from first sniff to last sip. Deeply colored, this one looks like it’s going to be a “bruiser of a wine,” but once it’s on the palate, it’s smooth, plush, and fine grained.

I pick up big notes of ripe plum, blueberry, blackberry, violet, and spice both in the bouquet and on the palate. Not only is this one organic, it is also certified vegan. It’s soft, supple texture combined with its spicy berry notes makes me think it would pair beautifully with North Carolina pulled pork, but I could also see it tasting great with a hearty mushroom pasta or stew.