10 Facts to Know about Legrand Noir Wines

The black sheep on the label represents the unconventional, out-of-the-box thinking of the wine’s founders

1 Le Grand Noir is a wine that combines the classic, complex, food-friendly flavours of France with the accessibility of the New World.

2 Le Grand Noir is the brainchild of Robert Joseph, an award-winning wine critic; Hugh Ryman, a winemaker with experience across the globe; and a top label-designer called Kevin Shaw.

3 Like a black sheep that acts differently from the herd, the black sheep on the wine label represents the unconventional, out of-the-box way of thinking of the founders.

4 Each of the Le Grand Noir wines has its own complex character combining the flavours of the terroir where the grapes were grown and the blend of different grape varieties. Le Grand Noir broke away from the mainstream by blending Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon; Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre; and Chardonnay with Viognier.

5 Oak barrels are used, but judiciously. Some wine styles such as Chardonnay pick up subtle vanilla notes from the wood. Others, such as their refreshing Sauvignon Blanc are better without it. The aim is to never overshadow the natural flavours of the wine.

6 All the wines are produced in the Minervois region in the Languedoc in the south of France. Le Grand Noir depends on family growers like Eric Lacuve and his winemaking team at Celliers Jean d’Alibert, who painstakingly tend their own vines. They have an intense love and respect for the traditions of their region but are also open to new ideas.

7 By minimising the use of pesticides and other vineyard treatments, Celliers Jean d’Alibert has reduced the carbon footprint of both vineyard and winery. The weight of Le Grand Noir bottles was reduced as part of their sustainability programme.

8 All the wines in the Le Grand Noir range are ready to drink on release and remain fresh for at least a couple of years after the harvest, partly due to their screwcap closures.

9 Le Grand Noir wines are vegan. No animal products are used in their production. They can be enjoyed as aperitifs but are also a good match with a wide variety of foods.

10 Food and wine suggestions. Le Grand Noir Cabernet-Shiraz goes with full-flavoured meat dishes, while the Pinot Noir is perfect with a range of lighter dishes. You can also pair it with fish. The Chardonnay- Viognier blend is particularly good with subtly spicy Indian, Thai or Chinese dishes. Details of individual wines available in India are given overleaf.

Imported by Sula Selections, two new varietals, Malbec and Merlot, have been added recently priced at Rs 1,600 in Maharashtra.

Le Grand Noir wines for all occasions

LE GRAND NOIR ROSÉ

Grape Varietal
85% Grenache, 15% Shiraz

Flavours
Intense aromas of raspberry, strawberry and redcurrant with a hint of pepper.

Wine Highlights
● Fresh modern, pale-hued, dry, but fruity, rosé: one of the most popular styles in the world right now.
● Great with food or by itself.
● Shiraz gives just a touch more weight to the freshness of the Grenache.

LE GRAND NOIR CABERNET SYRAH

Grape Varietal
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah

Flavours
Dark fruits with delicate peppery notes, supported by well-integrated vanilla
Wine Highlights
● The two varietals were vinified separately / 6 months of French and American oak.

LE GRAND NOIR MERLOT

Grape Varietal
100% Merlot

Flavours
A modern Merlot with typical plummy notes coupled with a bright strawberry flavour.

Wine Highlights
● Low-yielding vines
● Twenty-year-old vines
● Oak age for six months

LE GRAND NOIR MALBEC

Grape Varietal
100% Malbec

Flavours
Soft, plummy and cherryish with hints of violet. Light use of oak to maintain fruitiness

Wine Highlights
● Harvested at night for freshness 20% of the wine has been aged for a few months in French and American oak barrels.

LE GRAND NOIR CHARDONNAY

Grape Varietal
85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier

Flavours
Pineapple with a subtle hint of oak and a touch of mango and ginger.

Wine Highlights
● Subtle use of oak.
● Great with food or by itself.
● Unusual blend that adds a note of viognier spice to the chardonnay.

LE GRAND NOIR GSM

Grape Varietal
Blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre

Flavours
Blackberry, dark plum, black cherry, dark fruit and a hint of spices & pepper. Mourvedre lends distinctive mineral & perfumed notes

Wine Highlights
● Typical Rhône blend, but the first of its kind from Minervois.

LE GRAND NOIR PINOT NOIR

Grape Varietal
85% Pinot Noir, 15% Grenache

Flavours
Raspberry, cherry with hints of strawberry and oak and a refreshing note of pepper.

Wine Highlights
● A small amount of Grenache adds extra spice and freshness.
● Great with food or by itself.
● New-wave French wine, combining French regional character with new world accessibility.
● From Limoux the coolest area in the South of France.

LE GRAND NOIR CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Grape Varietal
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Shiraz

Flavours
Rich plums & cherries with hints of truffle and vanilla.

Wine Highlights
● A pioneering wine for the region. A revival of the old tradition of adding Hermitage made from Syrah to Château Lafite and other Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
● Subtle use of oak & a fine, well-rounded mouthfeel.