{"product_id":"maxime-francois-laurent-cotes-du-rhone-il-fait-soif-2023","title":"Maxime Francois Laurent Côtes du Rhône Il Fait Soif 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Land\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is southern Rhône wine, but not the heavy, sun-baked kind the region is known for. Maxime-François Laurent farms clay-limestone vineyards around Montbrison-sur-Lez and Valréas, in the cooler, higher Drôme provençale corner of the Côtes du Rhône, with vines between 15 and 30 years old. The name says it all: il fait soif, roughly it's thirsty weather. This is a wine built for freshness and drinkability rather than power, and the site, the farming, and the winemaking all pull in that direction. Higher ground and limestone soils keep the fruit lively where lower, warmer parts of the Rhône give richness instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Wine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA Côtes du Rhône built for pure refreshment, roughly 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Cinsault. Made in a whole-cluster, semi-carbonic style: hand-picked, partially destemmed, macerated about 15 days in concrete on native yeasts, with only a light touch of sulfur added after malolactic fermentation. No oak. The result is bright, juicy, and low in tannin, full of fresh raspberry, cherry, cranberry, black pepper, and a floral, garrigue lift. Serve it with a chill and it practically vanishes from the glass. This is natural southern Rhône at its most joyful and easy. The 2023 vintage was warm in the southern Rhône, giving ripe but lively fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe People\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMaxime-François Laurent is the son of Michèle Aubéry-Laurent, who runs the legendary Domaine Gramenon, one of the pioneers of natural wine in the Rhône. He launched his own project in 2006, carrying the same philosophy: certified organic and biodynamic farming from the start, native-yeast fermentations, and as little intervention in the cellar as possible. Il Fait Soif is his most immediate, easygoing wine, but it is made with the same care as the serious bottlings. This is natural wine done with real skill rather than as a gimmick.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the ultimate casual, all-purpose red. Serve it lightly chilled with charcuterie and cheese, with pizza or a burger, with roast chicken, or with grilled vegetables and sausages. It is a natural for a picnic or a warm evening on the porch, and it happily handles spiced or grilled food where heavier reds struggle. The kind of bottle that disappears at a party and leaves everyone asking what it was.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Empire","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50534923141343,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P7070623.jpg?v=1783485031","url":"https:\/\/danverwinemerchant.com\/products\/maxime-francois-laurent-cotes-du-rhone-il-fait-soif-2023","provider":"Denver Wine Merchant","version":"1.0","type":"link"}