Why it matters
The producer
Virginie Fabre and Guillaume Philip both studied viticulture and oenology at Montpellier wine school before establishing Domaine des Diables as a separate venture. The first grapes from the estate were harvested in 2007. Its wines carry the Made in Provence name, shortened to MiP, alongside Domaine des Diables and other house labels.
The estate uses no herbicides and only organic fertilizers. Grapes are harvested at night and protected from oxidation with dry ice, keeping the fruit cool before cellar work begins.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Clay, silt and sand make up the soil composition described for Domaine des Diables. Clay can hold water, sand drains more quickly, and silt sits between them in particle size. These differences alter how quickly roots receive water, which can affect ripening and the feel of wine.
The range includes Côtes de Provence rosé and white wines. Côtes de Provence is a regulated regional appellation, so the place name appears directly on the bottle alongside the producer and cuvée name.
Wines to know
The range in view
Rose BonBon Domaine des Diables and MiP Classic Rosé are rosé wines, while Diables & Co Blanc is a white Côtes de Provence wine. MiP Collection Rosé is composed of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Vermentino, followed by four months on fine lees. Lees are spent yeast cells, and ageing on them can add roundness and savoury flavour.
MiP rosé is pressed immediately under conditions that exclude oxygen and fermented at low temperatures. MiP Classic Rosé has a pale rose petal colour, white flowers, small yellow fruit and fresh citrus. The MiP Collection white shows pear in syrup, pink grapefruit and floral glycine on the nose, followed by passion fruit, candied pineapple and citrus freshness on the palate.