Change Merlot
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2025
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled red meats, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, and medium-aged cheeses.
✨ Technical Specifications
Gérard Bertrand's 'Change' Merlot is a vibrant testament to the producer's deep-rooted commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable viticulture in the Languedoc-Roussillon. Crafted from 100% Merlot grapes grown in the sun-drenched clay-limestone soils of the Pays d'Oc, this wine embodies a modern approach to winemaking where nature and biodiversity take center stage. The 'Change' range itself represents Bertrand's pledge to support growers transitioning to organic farming, reflecting his journey from a professional rugby player to one of the world's foremost champions of biodynamic viticulture. In the glass, this Merlot showcases the generous, fruit-forward character typical of the Mediterranean climate, balanced by the grape's natural roundness and velvety tannins. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel to preserve its fresh, primary fruit aromas of ripe plums, wild blackberries, and subtle herbaceous undertones, it reflects both the rich winemaking heritage of Southern France and a forward-looking ecological philosophy.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1992 by former French international rugby player Gérard Bertrand following the legacy of his father Georges at Domaine de Villemajou, the estate has emerged as an undisputed pioneer of fine wine in the Languedoc. Headquartered at the coastal Château l'Hospitalet within the limestone massif of La Clape, Bertrand orchestrates over 900 hectares of vineyard land across premium terroirs spanning Corbières, Minervois-La-Livinière, Terrasses du Larzac, and Limoux. The enterprise represents the world’s largest producer of Demeter-certified biodynamic wines, guided by regenerative viticulture, lunar cycles, and chemical-free soil stewardship. Cellar craftsmanship combines precise temperature control, indigenous ferments, and tailored French oak maturation to articulate South of France typicity. Benchmark releases range from iconic single-vineyard crus such as Clos d'Ora, Clos du Temple, and Cigalus to vibrant, terroir-driven white and red bottlings, alongside celebrated Mediterranean cuvées like Côte des Roses.