Release of Gaillac Primeur 2016
Every year (from the third Thursday in November), the Gaillac vineyard is decorated to celebrate the first Gaillac AOC wine of the year. We are talking about the release of the early wines...__________
Not to be confused with Primeurs in Bordeaux where we are talking about buying wines “en primeur”, that is to say they are still being vinified and will not be delivered until the end of the wine-making period, which can last from 2 to 3 years in some cases.
It is also called Gaillac Primeur. It is quite the opposite of a long-keeping wine and has a limited shelf life. Red or white, it is the only early wine in the South-west and the first Gamay AOP of the year. And this year, our oenologists promise us an explosion of flavours with a nose of fresh red fruits and a crunchy mouth.
The secrets of its manufacture
The wine is made using the technique of carbonic maceration. The grapes are picked by hand in small capacity boxes to prevent the grapes being crushed. They are then poured manually into tanks previously filled with carbon dioxide. Intracellular fermentation then takes place and reveals typical aromas of Gaillac Primeur (red berries and acidulous candies). The partially fermented grapes are then pressed in order to select the quality of the juices (drop and presses), finishing alcoholic fermentation at a controlled temperature. There then follows a short period of ageing in vats to achieve malolactic fermentation and to stabilize the wine to make it more durable before packaging.
Controlled marketing date
The sale of Primeurs AOP is strictly regulated by decree. Sale to the public is prohibited before the third Thursday of November. New wines sold before this date do not benefit from controlled appellation, they are table or country wines. The national release date is Thursday, November 17, 2016.
And the Primeur takes flight...
For the second year in a row you can win a unique, original and refreshing tour of Gaillac. 8 winning corks have slipped through to our 2016 Primeurs, giving you the opportunity to win a flight for 2 people in the Vinovalie balloon. The programme includes 3 hours of adventure and 1 hour of ballooning.
Primeur parties are not to be missed !
On the occasion of the release of Gaillac Primeur, our tasting shops offer many activities for parties rich with cultural discoveries and flavours:
→ a Primeur 2016 party with a concert by the jazz group, "Monday Jazz Band" on Thursday, November 17 at the Cave de Técou and Saturday, November 19 at the Cave of Rabastens
→ a Primeur 2016 party with a preview of the artist Martine Rauzy November 17th at the Cave de Parnac.