Terroir to Boast About
by Tom Wolf
Terroir to Boast About
by Tom Wolf
When I asked the Laboucarié family recently if the golden accents on their labels are a nod to their sliver of Corbières known as the Golden Crescent, I was surprised to hear that artistic choice was a total coincidence. After all, this area is prime land in Corbières—the kind of terroir you would want to call out anytime you get the opportunity.
As you might guess from the name, the Golden Crescent is one of the sunniest swaths of this Languedoc appellation, and Fontsainte’s vines enjoy ideal south–southeast exposure, allowing them to soak up plenty of the abundant southern sunlight. But, to balance this out, breezes from the nearby Mediterranean refresh the vineyards throughout the hot summer and keep them dry, yielding perfectly ripe and healthy Carignan, Grenache, and Syrah. For the domaine’s Gris de Gris rosé, a perennial favorite, this terroir yields crisp, bright fruit alongside plenty of citrus and a little spice. In the Corbières rouge, the domaine’s old vines give the wine’s fun, lighthearted essence a touch of soul, depth, and savoriness. Dark fruit, stones, and a whisper of black olive come together for one of the great introductions to Corbières. And finally, made mostly from the Languedoc’s great red grape, Carignan, from vines planted as far back as 1904, La Demoiselle achieves that rare feat of delivering class, charm, and complexity whether you open it right after release or twenty years later. With notes of dark fruit, leather, and spice, and an abundance of soul, the 2022 vintage is no exception.
Wines In The Collection
Domaine de Fontsainte France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A cold glass hits the spot every single time, bursting over the taste buds with bright citrus, wild strawberry, and a juicy finish that makes one’s mouth water in anticipation of the next sip.
Domaine de Fontsainte France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A vibrant country red that mixes the trademark notes of the South with beguiling elegance and drinkability.
Domaine de Fontsainte France | Languedoc-Roussillon
The vines have been soaking up Mediterranean sunshine for the past century and a quarter, and they give it all back in each toothsome, rosemary-scented sip.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A cold glass hits the spot every single time, bursting over the taste buds with bright citrus, wild strawberry, and a juicy finish that makes one’s mouth water in anticipation of the next sip.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
A vibrant country red that mixes the trademark notes of the South with beguiling elegance and drinkability.
France | Languedoc-Roussillon
The vines have been soaking up Mediterranean sunshine for the past century and a quarter, and they give it all back in each toothsome, rosemary-scented sip.
More Collections
Cool Beaujolais with Tomato Tart
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Passing the Torch at Mas Champart
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New Rosé Arrivals
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The 2024 Vintage in the Beaujolais
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Celebrating Ten Years of Sardinia
In 2016, KLWM sent a fearsome trio to Sardinia to scout the island’s wines: Kermit, the taster; Gail, the photographer; and Anthony, the chauffeur and translator (alright, I did some tasting too, mind you). Amid a sea of ordinary wines, we sampled a Vermentino that immediately stood out for its authentic character...
La Famille Quenard
The Quenard family’s long history in the Savoie doesn’t begin with André, but his arrival at the domaine in 1944 marks a turning point in the family’s legacy. When André took over their polyculture farm in the village of Chignin, the wines were still sold only by the barrel to café owners. Around 1960, with a deep-seated belief in the quality of his terroir—before Chignin’s AOC designation in 1976—he began bottling his own wines, championing the steep scree slopes of Torméry, and helping to establish the reputation of an entire winegrowing region along the way...
New Arrivals
Here is a collection of recent arrivals. Every week, we’ll be adding a dozen or more new arrivals, so check back often for your favorite classics or new discoveries!
The Carpe Vinum Collection
An ever-changing offering of wines that are just about to sell out; one last opportunity to seize a range of selections before they disappear from our shelves forever.
50th Anniversary Merchandise
When the esteemed French wine artist Michel Tolmer created beautiful artwork for our 50th anniversary, we knew right away that we had to feature it on a few select items of merch. After spending maybe a little too much time researching the options, we landed on a classy, leather-strap cap, a comfortable t-shirt made from 100% cotton, and a tote made with incredibly sturdy, fair-trade, and organic cotton by a certified B corp that invests in the livelihoods of women and farmers of India, featuring three wine sleeves and two other compartments for all of your other needs!
Recent Wine Club Selections
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.