Why it matters
The producer
Christine and Eric Saurel run Domaine Montirius as fifth generation winegrowers. Their daughter Justine joined with her own certified organic vineyard range. The domaine works across Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Côtes du Rhône, with the wines organised under those appellation names.
Montirius was the first domaine certified biodynamic on both Gigondas and Vacqueyras. The Saurels describe the vine as alive, blossoming between the forces of the earth in the roots and the sun in the apex. The cellar uses concrete vats built so it vibrates at the same frequency as the vineyard site.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Gigondas and Vacqueyras are the two named appellations in the red range. Côtes du Rhône is the appellation on the La Muse Papilles red and white wines. An appellation is a regulated geographic name, so these words on the label separate the wines by origin and category. Colour separates the Côtes du Rhône bottles into red and white wines.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range has two 2022 appellation reds, Domaine Montirius Gigondas La Tour and Domaine Montirius Vacqueyras Le Village. Côtes du Rhône La Muse Papilles appears as a 2023 red wine, and Côtes du Rhône La Muse Papilles blanc as a 2023 white wine.
The two appellation reds sit beside the Côtes du Rhône pair, giving the range red wines at two named appellation levels and both red and white at the Côtes du Rhône level. The winery includes concrete vats designed for optimal fermentation.