Contents
Maison Gérard Bertrand needs no introduction: run by its eponymous owner, a former rugby third-rower, the estate sells over 20 million bottles a year. It leads French sales of organic wine and international sales of biodynamic wine.
History of the estate
Maison Gérard Bertrand is a family story that now goes back four generations. At the head of the Villemajou estate since the late 1980s, he subsequently bought other estates and châteaux to expand the vineyard and develop a range of several cuvées from the South of France. Gérard Bertrand owns Château l’Hospitalet, Clos d’Ora and Domaine de l’Estagnère, to name but a few. In a competitive spirit, Gérard Bertrand aims to produce eco-responsible wines with love, tradition and modernity.
Gérard Bertrand’s wine estates
Maison Gérard Bertrand boasts over fifteen châteaux and estates in the South of France: a veritable standard-bearer for the wines of Occitania and the South. Here are just a few examples of the diversity of Gérard Bertrand’s fields. Château de la Soujeole cultivates a Malepère PDO in keeping with the philosophy that the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. Château l’Hospitalet, in the heart of the Massif de la Clape, thanks to its exceptional position as a former island, produces luminous, saline fruit of a rare uniqueness. The Château des Karantes, meanwhile, overlooks the Mediterranean above Narbonne’s beaches. A dream location in the heart of the La Clape appellation, where arid soils and a maritime influence harmonize to give the Mourvèdre the benefit of the sea spray. Last but not least, Château de Villemajou, the family’s birthplace, boasts century-old Carigan vines, the emblem of Boutenac cuvées. And let’s not forget Château La Sauvageonne, Laville Bertrou, Clos d’Ora with its AOP Minervois la Livinière situated on a geological fault, or Clos du Temple.
The eclectic terroir of Maison Gérard Bertrand
Covering 850 hectares, Maison Gérard Bertrand has nevertheless taken up the challenge of biodynamic viticulture to respect its eclectic grape varieties and the diversity of its soils, which can be clay, sandstone, stony or limestone. The grape varieties are varied: Carigan, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Terret Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Vermentino, Marsanne, Grenache blanc, Bourboulenc and Grenache noir. Bottling follows the lunar calendar to preserve the natural rhythm of biodynamics. The wine is aged in barrels and vats. In all, more than 300 people work to preserve Maison Gérard Bertrand‘s AB bio and Demeter biodynamie labels.
Gérard Bertrand wines
The cuvées offered by Maison Gérard Bertrand are innumerable, most of them AB & Demeter certified. For example, its original orange wines are a reminder of Georgia over 4,000 years ago. These wines are characterized by their freshness, thanks to the vinification of white grapes in the same way as reds. Maury” AOP Maury Tuilé, 100% black Grenache, is a powerful wine with good length and a spicy finish. Clos d’Ora” (AOP Minervois la Livinière), used at Fouquet’s in Paris, has subtle tannins for a frank and fascinating attack. Twice voted best rosé in the world, Château la Sauvageonne la Villa has a velvety, fresh texture with a beautiful salinity. Domaine de l’Aigle Chardonnay”, AOP Limoux, Demeter and AB label, offers a very atypical mentholated finish. Sparkling wines such as Code Rouge Blanc de Blancs (AOP Crément de Limoux), with its fine bubbles, or Sphère Chardonnay, will delight wine-lovers.
Photos: Gérard Bertrand
Directeur artistique, Alfred Laurent est l'âme créative de la première place de marché direct producteur en France. Passionné de Beaujolais, de moto et de BD, il est toujours à l'affût de la nouvelle pépite !
