Combe-Queyzaire 2022 Aestivalis Vin de France

The Aestivalis 2022 is a breezy, cheerful wine capturing the essence of summer Rhône sipping. With its refreshing red fruit, gentle structure, and drink-anywhere character, it’s a delightful, low-alcohol choice for casual enjoyment.

This is Denis's Deschamps (winemaker) homage to the Rhône's vins de soif of yesteryear--they did exist, particularly at bars during the lunch break, and they're coming back--based on his late-ripening varieties and cool sites. One plot per varietal, all old vines thus low yields, with ripening taking long and not coming until the end of the harvest, so low sugars and consequently low alcohols. Harvesting very early in the morning to keep the grapes cold, and beginning the fermentation in concrete to make a red but finishing as if the wine were a rosé, that is, imparting a gentle structure to the wine. Racking into steel for aging and bottling at the end of March following the harvest.

This is classified as a Vin de France because it doesn't have enough color to qualify for AOC. The name Aestivalis (es-tee-va-lease) is a play on festivals and été, meaning summer, i.e., a wine for summer to be served with a chill. Denis being the brainy enologist that he is, it's also a reference to a species of North American grapes, Vitis Aestivalis.

🍷 Style & Concept

• A light, summer-style red from Côtes‑du‑Rhône, crafted by Denis Deschamps as an homage to traditional “vin de soif” — the fresh, easy-drinking wines once served in cafés at lunchtime 

• Classified under Vin de France due to its bright, pale hue and restrained color intensity 

🍇 Blend & Terroir

• Composed of 50% Mourvèdre, 40% Carignan, and 10% Grenache, sourced from old, late-ripening vines planted in sandy‑calcareous loess soils 

• Vineyards are organically farmed, with hand harvesting at dawn to preserve freshness 

🧪 Vinification & Aging

• Gentle, brief maceration in concrete vats; fermentation begins like a red, then is handled more like a rosé to retain delicacy with minimal structure 

• Aged briefly in stainless steel and bottled in late March following the harvest—no added yeasts, no filtration, minimal sulfur 

👃 Aroma & Palate

• Nose: Fresh and fruity with bright red berries, crushed herbs, light spice, and a floral lift—energetic and approachable.

• Palate: Light-bodied and juicy, offering strawberry, raspberry, subtle cherry, and a touch of savory herb. Crisp acidity and gentle tannins make it refreshing, especially lightly chilled.

🧭 Food Pairings & Serving

• Best enjoyed chilled (~12 °C) as a refreshing aperitif or paired with grilled vegetables, light meats (pork, poultry), cheesy tart, or Mediterranean dishes.

• Ideal for picnics and warm-weather mealtime when a lighter, easy red is desirable.