Imago Gringet 2023 Les Vins de Belema

Imago Gringet 2023 – Alpine Precision and Untamed Purity

A rare white wine that carves the mountain’s essence into every sip

Imago Gringet 2023 is a pure and uncompromising white wine made from 100% Gringet, a native and nearly forgotten grape variety from Haute-Savoie. Produced by Les Vins de Balema, it is the result of a deeply artisanal and natural approach, shaped by the extreme conditions of alpine viticulture. With its sharp minerality and subtle elegance, this wine doesn’t seek popularity—it channels the quiet, raw truth of the mountain.

Philosophy in the vineyard

The vines grow at 450–500 meters of altitude on limestone-clay soils rich in stone and mineral tension. Farming is entirely manual and follows organic and biodynamic principles, without any synthetic chemicals or additives. The yields are low, and the delicate Gringet grapes are hand-harvested in small crates to preserve their natural freshness and character. This respect for the land and rhythm of nature is essential to capturing the subtle aromatic expression of this elusive varietal.

Approach in the cellar

Vinification is minimalist and transparent: whole grapes are directly pressed, with no maceration, and fermentation occurs spontaneously with native yeasts in a mix of stainless steel and neutral old oak barrels. No temperature control, no fining, filtering, or added sulfites. The wine rests on fine lees for several months, developing texture while maintaining purity and precision. Imago Gringet 2023 opens with aromas of lemon peel, alpine herbs, white tea, and wet stone. The palate is linear, taut, and deeply mineral, with a saline finish that lingers like mountain air.

Technical Sheet

• Grape variety: 100% Gringet

• Region: Haute-Savoie, France

• Soil: clay-limestone with high mineral content

• Vinification: direct press, spontaneous fermentation

• Aging: stainless steel and old neutral barrels

• Alcohol: 11.5%

• Serving temperature: 10–12°C

• Pairings: ideal with shellfish, lake fish, fresh or bloomy rind cheeses, refined vegetable-based cuisine

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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.