Altesse Epsilon Virginis 2022 Les Vins de Belema

Altesse Épsilon Virginis – Alpine elegance without compromise

A skin-contact white that reveals the soul of Savoie

Altesse Épsilon Virginis is a deep, luminous wine born from a radical and experimental project in Savoie, aiming to explore the most authentic expression of the Altesse grape through natural winemaking. We’re in the heart of the French Alps, a land of altitude, light, and minerality, where cool climate and strong temperature shifts allow for slow ripening and complex aromatic development.

Vineyard philosophy

The grapes come from naturally farmed vineyards planted on calcareous-clay soils with a rich stony structure, at nearly 500 meters above sea level. Altesse, a native variety of the region, is cultivated with low-intervention methods, without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. The vineyard work follows the seasonal rhythms and seeks harmony between vine and environment, with low yields and exclusively manual harvesting to ensure only the best clusters are selected.

Cellar approach

In the cellar, the winemaker chooses extended skin contact to extract texture, depth, and a refined tannic backbone. Fermentation takes place spontaneously with wild yeasts and no temperature control, in neutral tanks that preserve the varietal’s purity. No fining, filtration, or added sulfites: Épsilon Virginis is a living wine, raw and expressive, evolving with time and reflecting the vintage and the human hand behind it. The result is a textured, alpine skin-contact white with notes of dried flowers, mountain herbs, honey, and wet stone, supported by a vibrant acidity and a persistent, saline finish.

Technical sheet

• Grape variety: 100% Altesse

• Region: Savoie, France

• Soil: calcareous-clay with stony structure

• Vinification: skin contact, spontaneous fermentation

• Aging: neutral tanks, no fining or filtration

• Alcohol content: 12%

• Serving temperature: 12–14°C

• Pairings: ideal with mushrooms, washed rind cheeses, spiced Asian dishes, white meats, or structured vegetarian recipes

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Les Vins de Balema – Living wines from the heart of Hérault

The Mediterranean soul of natural winemaking

Les Vins de Balema is an independent and radical project rooted in the Hérault region of southern France, a land of intense light, stony soils, and constant winds. The winery embraces a fully natural approach, starting in the vineyard and ending in the bottle, always remaining true to the identity of the land and the grapes.

Vineyard philosophy

The vineyards are located between Béziers and Pézenas, in plots historically suited to Mediterranean viticulture. Here, native and international varieties are grown, including Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, and Cinsault, along with whites like Macabeu and Grenache Blanc. Farming is strictly manual and chemical-free, avoiding synthetic treatments or herbicides. Only minimal copper and sulfur are used, and only when absolutely necessary. The goal is to preserve soil vitality and biodiversity, letting the vines express their full potential naturally.

Cellar approach

In the cellar, Les Vins de Balema works with a philosophy of subtraction. There are no added yeasts, no fining, no filtration, and no sulfites. Each fermentation is spontaneous, guided only by native microorganisms. Winemaking choices vary according to vintage and grape, using stainless steel, fiberglass, amphorae, or open vats, with maceration times adapted to each wine’s needs. The result is a collection of living, expressive wines with energy and depth, created in small batches for those who seek honesty and identity in the glass.

Les Vins de Balema has quickly earned a place among the most authentic and compelling names in France’s natural wine scene, with a style that avoids compromise in favor of character and sincerity.