Mataburro, Quartet Blanc 2024, VDF, Rivesaltes, France

Who - Laurent Roger & Melissa Ingrand, Mataburro
Where - Rivesaltes, Pyrénées-Orientales, France
What - Orange Wine - Grenache Gris, Viognier
When - 2024
How  - Organic, Grenache Gris with skin contact, Viognier is direct press. Fermentation with indigenous yeast in tank, unfined, unfiltered, no added sulphites, Vegan

Mataburro is named after the railway line that runs just behind Laurent and Melissa's three hectares of vines. It was the first in the Perpignan region but on its opening day in 1910 two unfortunate donkeys were hit and killed by trains! Hence Mataburro - "Donkey Killer".

Their three hectares are in Rivesaltes, not far from the Catalanes coast and include old Grenache vines planted by Laurent's grandfather in 1949 and some younger Merlot planted by his father some thirty years ago. They work their vines organically and in order to preserve soil life, choose not to plough but instead to use green manure planting and only use treatments of sulphur, copper and essential oils where necessary.

The Quartet Blanc is using organic grapes brought from neighbouring growers. The Grenache Gris undergoes maceration whilst the Viognier is pressed direct. Both are fermented with indigenous yeasts in tank and bottled without any fining, filtration or additions of sulphite.