Saint-Etienne Rouge
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2025
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled lamb chops, ratatouille, charcuterie board
✨ Technical Specifications
Crafted by the historic Maison Gabriel Meffre, the Saint-Etienne Rouge is an expressive tribute to the classic terroirs of the Southern Rhône Valley. Drawing its name from the rich historical and religious heritage of the region—where ancient chapels and parishes like Saint-Etienne have watched over the vineyards for centuries—this wine embodies the traditional warmth and generosity of Côtes du Rhône reds. It is typically sourced from vineyards featuring classic clay-limestone soils strewn with pebbles, which absorb the Mediterranean sun by day and radiate heat to the vines at night. The winemaking process emphasizes preserving the vibrant, sun-drenched fruit character of the grapes, utilizing traditional fermentation in temperature-controlled vats followed by short aging to maintain freshness, showcasing notes of ripe red berries, wild herbs, and a touch of black pepper.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1936 by Gabriel and Juliette Meffre in Gigondas, Maison Gabriel Meffre has evolved from a pioneering family négoce into one of the Southern Rhône Valley’s most influential estates. Now part of the Boisset Collection, the house manages estate holdings—most notably Domaine de Longue Toque, nestled against the jagged limestone ridges and scree of the Dentelles de Montmirail—alongside historic grower partnerships spanning Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Plan de Dieu, and the wider Rhône and southern France. Viticulture emphasizes sustainability and certified organic farming on estate parcels. Under long-tenured head winemaker Véronique Torcolacci, cellar vinification focuses on pristine varietal purity, judicious use of large-format oak, and parcel-specific selections. Benchmark labels encompass the terroir-driven Domaine de Longue Toque cuvées, the prestige 'Laurus' series aged in bespoke 275-liter oak barrels, and the classic Saint-designated Gabriel Meffre signature range.
🍇 Grapes
Grenache, Syrah
🍷 ABV
13.5-14%