We already told you about it a few weeks ago in this article. In 2024, DIVINEO and BSB School of Wine (the “wine” branch of the Dijon business school) are continuing their partnership for the third year running. In December, we went to present our project to students from the “CIVS“, one of the world’s leading courses in international wine trade. We asked them to set up four working groups on different DIVINEO development projects.
And no fewer than 14 students from the BSB School of Wine have volunteered to take part in this stimulating and rewarding adventure. For several weeks, they have been working on these issues, coached by DIVINEO Founders and Ambassadors who bring their experience and specific knowledge.
Ten days ago, we brought together all the students and mentors at BSB School of Wine. Everyone was able to discover the great progress made by each group. It was a great opportunity to think collectively, to come up with new ways of thinking and new ideas. But also to share a convivial moment, just as we like it!
The four groups from BSB School of Wine work respectively on :
These are all major topics for DIVINEO, enabling students to enrich their curriculum and acquire professional skills that will be extremely useful in their future careers. Many thanks to the students and to BSB School of Wine for their involvement! We look forward to meeting them again in a few weeks’ time to discover the final presentations.
DIVINEO, four-hands creations
Last week, we unveiled our latest creation, Éclipse Blanche, a white wine made from black grapes (which is called a “blanc de noirs”). This may have intrigued you: why the desire to create this type of wine? How was Éclipse Blanche made? What role did the three winemakers play? This article is here to answer all your questions.
Éclipse Blanche was born of the desire to offer an incomparable wine that perfectly reflects the bold, innovative spirit of DIVINEO. And to open up new worlds of sensations, there’s nothing better than turning to a very unusual style of wine, especially for a still wine: blanc de noirs.
Most black grapes have white juice. This is the case with Grenache noir, from which Éclipse Blanche is made. The color pigments (called anthocyanins) are only contained in the skin. When making red wine, these pigments color the juice as they macerate and ferment together, before being pressed. To obtain a blanc de noirs, contact between skin and juice must be limited. So, the pressing stage must come first, to separate them as quickly as possible. This must be done very gently to prevent the juice turning red or pink.
The resulting juice is then vinified and aged in exactly the same way as a white wine. But it retains a particular structure and style because of its origin. All this requires a great deal of precision and expertise.
For Éclipse Blanche, we added an extra challenge: to create it not with four hands like our other cuvées, but with six. Clodéric Prade, our Languedoc winemaker, grew the Grenache Noirs, which then traveled to Burgundy. There, they were divided between Julien Petitjean and Nicolas Perrault, who vinified them separately. Then, after a year and a half’s ageing, they blended their cuvées to produce a complex wine, a unique blend of talents and regions. Nicolas Perrault (Domaine Nicolas Perrault, Dezize-les-Maranges) signs his first cuvée for DIVINEO.
DIVINEO, four-handed creations
The time has finally come to present our long-awaited new 2022 cuvée. And as promised, we’ve pushed back our limits in terms of originality and uniqueness. Discover Eclipse Blanche, our white wine made from black grapes.
As you know, daring and taking risks to open up new worlds of sensations are part of DIVINEO’s DNA. After creating several cuvées of whites, reds and even a rosé that isn’t quite a rosé (see here), we set ourselves the challenge of making a white wine from the Grenache noir grape.
It was not two, but three winemakers who brought this idea to life, and gave birth to Eclipse Blanche. First of all, Clodéric Prade, our Languedoc winemaker, who cultivated and harvested the Grenache Noir, guided by his agroforestry principles. Then two winemakers, Julien Petitjean and Nicolas Perrault (who owns an estate in Dezize-les-Maranges). Nicolas signs with Eclipse Blanche his first cuvée for DIVINEO. They matured their wines separately for a year and a half, each with their own touch and know-how, before blending them to bring out the best in each.
The result is a wine that offers unique sensations, with a fine balance between freshness and deliciousness. We love its beautiful golden color with copper highlights, its citrus and pear aromas, and its saline finish with fine bitters. It is with great pride that we are now making available 10,000 bottles of this off-the-beaten-track cuvée.
Wondering how we managed to create a white wine from black grapes? Join us next week to discover all the secrets behind Eclipse Blanche!
DIVINEO, four-handed creations
[Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation].
Last week, we let you rediscover Fusion Blanche and Insolente Grenache 2022, two white cuvées that were already part of our 2021 range. But thanks to increased volumes and the expansion of our team of winemakers, we were also fortunate in this 2022 vintage to be able to innovate, take on new challenges and offer new wines with even greater freedom. We wanted to create a rosé, a type of wine symbolizing conviviality, lightness and happy moments. But we also wanted DIVINEO rosé to be a gastronomic wine with a distinctive style, just like our whites and reds. And so Pétale de Grenache was born, a rosé we don’t really think of as such.
Already, its color is unusual for a rosé : a deep pink like grapefruit juice. Bright and clean, it arouses curiosity. The nose is highly aromatic, with redcurrant, citrus, violet and jasmine. On the palate, a unique alliance of gourmandise and freshness is revealed. Pétale de Grenache is full-bodied, with candy-like acidity. Drink well chilled and aerate before tasting. This rosé can be drunk as an aperitif or with fine dishes (fish, poultry, Mediterranean vegetables, tasty cheeses…). As a bonus, it’s available in 75cL and magnum formats to suit every occasion.
Pétale de Grenache is a four-handed creation. It is the fruit of the work and expertise of our Languedoc winegrower Clodéric Prade, who cultivated the Grenache noirs from which this rosé is made, and our Burgundy winemaker Julien Petitjean. A 14-month ageing period has given this cuvée its distinctive characteristics.
The story of Pétale de Grenache is also linked to that of our Affranchis Wine Club. During the event in Burgundy in March 2023, participants were able to suggest names for this rosé! So, in every way, it’s a wine for free-spirited people.
There’s no need to wait for summer to enjoy this rosé: Pétale de Grenache can be enjoyed all year round!
DIVINEO, four-handed creations
Let’s continue our review of the 2022 cuvées already available from DIVINEO, after talking about Fusion Blanche last week. Today, we’re staying with white wines, but in a completely different register, with Insolente Grenache.
This cuvée, already very popular in its 2021 vintage, is a blend of Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc. These grape varieties may be “cousins”, but they bring very distinct aromas. Those of the Grenache gris (which is more of a rosé) are very reminiscent of the South of France: fresh herbs, fennel, almonds and honey. Grenache Blanc, on the other hand, is more reminiscent of white flowers, peach and melon. The link between these two grape varieties is found more in their power, roundness and length on the palate.
These southern grape varieties, cultivated by Clodéric Prade (Domaine d’Eriane) and vinified using the Burgundian techniques of Julien Petitjean (Domaine de la Roseraie), give Insolente Grenache a wine with a nuanced structure. The first thing you notice is its pretty gold color with gray highlights. Then the nose of citrus fruits (combava, lemon…) and jasmine flowers seduces us. The palate surprises us with its intensity and freshness, but also with its “Umami” flavors, which are very unusual, especially in wines from the South. The long, saline finish wins us over. Insolente Grenache should be drunk well chilled, now or in a few years’ time.
The insolence of this cuvée lies in its ability to combine power, gourmandise and unprecedented flavors in a light wine, at just 11° alcohol! To make it even better, Insolente Grenache is certified organic and cultivated using agroforestry methods.
We’ll be back next week to talk about our not-quite-rosé, Pétale de Grenache. But also to introduce you to our brand-new cuvée! Prepare to be surprised…
DIVINEO, four-handed creations
In a few days’ time, we’ll introduce you to a new (and surprising!) cuvée from our 2022 vintage. It has just been bottled after a year and a half of ageing ! In the meantime, we’d like you to (re)discover the first cuvées, already available, from this vintage. Let’s start today with Fusion Blanche, a name you may not be familiar with.
Indeed, Fusion Blanche was one of the cuvées in our first vintage (2021). It was already appreciated for its contrasts between the finesse and floral character of Vermentino, and the power of Grenache Blanc. Always striving to improve and innovate, we decided to add a little Roussanne to the blend for the 2022 version. This grape variety, particularly common in the Rhône Valley, adds body to the wine with its aromas of apricot, hawthorn and honeysuckle.
The result of this revisited blend is the same characteristics that made us love Fusion Blanche 2021, but with even greater balance and aromatic complexity. Its white-gold color is brilliant and limpid. On the nose and palate, we travel through aromas of white flowers and fruit, with saline notes. An organic wine that can be enjoyed now or in a few years’ time, both on its own and with food.
The three Fusion Blanche grape varieties were grown by Clodéric Prade (Domaine d’Eriane) near Saint-Mamert-du-Gard. They grew on white and yellow marl soils. They then traveled to the winery of Julien Petitjean (Domaine de la Roseraie). He aged them as naturally as possible to preserve all the authenticity and subtleties of this blend. To top it all off, Fusion Blanche is grown using agroforestry and organic farming methods!
See you next week for a new article, on another cuvée blanche from our second vintage!
DIVINEO, four-hands creations
Last week, DIVINEO went to the BSB to unveil its plans for the year 2024.
This now marks two years of collaboration with students from BSB’s School of Wine and Spirit Business. Every year, groups of students dedicate themselves to projects aimed at developing DIVINEO. For this year, the challenges will be to create a flagship, and to develop the brand’s commercial strategy alongside their mentors: Patrick David, Olivier Pion and Gauthier Girardon.
Many thanks to BSB for this opportunity and to all participants for their commitment and enthusiasm. We look forward to the evolution of this collaboration towards new perspectives. 📝 We would like also to thank Romaric Boursot of Boursot père et fils for being here to talk about our cuvées.
Stay tuned to follow our journey and discover the next stages of our DIVINEO adventure!
📢 A special thank you to Stephan Bourcieu, Frédéric Mercier, and Didier Jacquet for their valuable contribution to this partnership.
This event gathered more than 90 people from the Affranchis Club at the Montmartre museum! For this DIVINEO evening, we wanted to combine art and wine. What’s better than the museum where the only vines in Paris are located
We tell you everything!
After a glass of wines, our guests had the opportunity to participate in three different activities… The first was a guided tour of the museum where they explored the secrets of this place with the explanation of Jérôme, their guide.
The aim of the second multisensory activity was to explore the senses involved in tasting: sight, smell and taste. It was about recognizing the colors and aromas of wine, as well as understanding how food influences a wine.
The different teams concluded with a blind tasting of 6 wines, with the winegrowers as animators and magnums of Grenache Vieilles Vignes as a rewards for the winning group! Congratulations again to the group of Paul, Mathilde, Olivier, Agnès, Karine and Fredo! 👏🏼
We concluded this moment with a tasting of the new 2022 vintage led by Olivier and Clodéric. Our guests were able to taste Insolente Grenache, Fusion Blanche, Pétal de grenache and discover our prestigious vintage: Grenache Vieilles Vignes.
Thank you all for coming, it was a pleasure to see you again or meet you! ✨
The next event?
Stay connected, an upcoming event in Burgundy will take place at the start of the year. See you soon!
DIVINEO, création à quatre mains
This weekend, for the first time, Affranchis Wine Club’s Ambassadors had the opportunity to take part in the grape harvest with our winegrower Clodéric Prade. It was an opportunity for them to share convivial moments, meet new people and discover a little more about the terroirs where the DIVINEO vines grow. We tell you all about it!
First, in Poulx, between Uzès and Nîmes, the 11 participating Ambassadors, the DIVINEO team and Clodéric shared a reunion dinner. The meal was an opportunity to welcome new Affranchis Club members. It was also an opportunity to build up strength for the next day’s harvest, which promised to be a sporting one…
Early in the morning, our apprentice grape-pickers arrived at Clodéric’s estate in Saint-Mamert-du-Gard, ready to grab their buckets and secateurs. After a few instructions, they picked their first bunches of Grenache blanc, and did so with formidable efficiency! Thanks to their enthusiasm and the clement weather, they quickly achieved their harvest objectives. They then made their way to the Clodéric winery. There, they watched the grapes being pressed and tasted some of his wines. The most productive pickers of the day were duly rewarded.
Participants parted company after a well-deserved lunch overlooking the Arènes de Nîmes. Good humor, epicureanism and team spirit were the watchwords of this grape harvest event in the image of the Affranchis.
The official start of the harvest for the DIVINEO 2023 vintage was given on Monday August 28. Grapes of high quality are gradually being sent to the cellars of our Burgundy winemakers. The harvest will last over several weeks. Follow us on social networks to find out more about these crucial stages in the making of our wines!
DIVINEO, four-handed creations
The DIVINEO plot comprises 20 hectares, but for the moment only 9 are planted with vines. The remaining 10 will be planted gradually over the coming years, with a mix of emblematic and more original grape varieties !
In 2021, we have planted 3 new varieties for our future vintages:
Roussanne: this grape variety, which is very rare outside the Rhône region, is often described as “noble” or “precious”. This is due to its great elegance and aromatic complexity, with floral notes (hawthorn, iris, honeysuckle, etc.), apricot and honey.
Picpoul: fine and lively, it is almost always blended with other grape varieties. Its presence is particularly noteworthy in the blends of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Aromas are dominated by white flowers, accompanied by notes of peach and citrus.
Bourboulenc: this low-alcohol grape brings finesse and delicate floral and citrus aromas.
And in 2023, new Vermentino plants and 2 new varieties will join the family: Chenin and Petit Maseng.
Then, over the next few years, Carignan Blanc, Carignan Gris and Aligoté will gradually make their appearance… But you’ll have to wait a little before you can see the results. After all, vines need a few years after planting to produce grapes that can be transformed into wine.
And that’s not all: some of the future grape varieties have yet to be defined. We leave ourselves the freedom to evolve according to our discoveries and desires: that’s the spirit of DIVINEO!
Photos: Sébastien Delacrose
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