Domaine BOUDAU

The history of Domaine Boudau

Domaine Boudau was created in the 1920s by Hippolyte Boudau, who started with only a few plots of vines. When he died in 1940, his son Henri inherited the estate and decided to direct it towards wines that were very fashionable at the time: Vins Doux Naturels, Muscat de Rivesaltes and Rivesaltes. The grape varieties of the Domaine Boudau are then revised to increase the number of Grenache Noir vines.

Henri died prematurely at the age of 44, in 1967. His widow, Anne-Marie, took over the estate which then covered 60 hectares, entirely dedicated to the production of natural sweet wines. She continued the production of Muscat de Rivesaltes and Rivesaltes, while reducing the estate to its current size of 50 hectares.

In the 1980s, natural sweet wines were less sought after and in 1992 a new direction was taken to produce dry wines. Since 1993, Domaine Boudau has been run by Anne-Marie and Henri's two youngest children: Véronique and Pierre.

The Domaine Boudau vineyard

Domaine Boudau extends around the commune of Rivesaltes and is divided into two distinct terroirs: Le Clos and Les Terrasses. Le Clos is composed of 23 hectares in a single block, at the entrance to the Agly valley. It is located in the communes of Salses and Espira de l'Agly which form the first foothills of the Corbières.

The vines cover a clay-limestone soil on rocky bedrock, on steep hills and slopes, facing south-east. The vines are beaten by the tramontane and benefit from the sea air. The grape varieties are Grenache and Syrah.

The Terrasses are also made up of a single piece of land covering 27 hectares. The clay-limestone soil is home to Grenache Noir vines that appreciate the large river pebbles that store the sun's heat and release it at night. The vineyard is completed by vines of Malvoisie, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Maccabeu and Mourvèdre. The grapes are harvested by hand and vinification is carried out in the new winery built in 2018.

The wines of Domaine Boudau

The Christmas Muscat

Composed of 100% Muscat d'Alexandrie, Muscat de Noël displays a brilliant straw gold colour. Its nose is fine and exhales aromas of citrus, white flowers and fresh mint.

The mouth is greedy, perfectly balanced and very fruity.

Domaine Boudau's Muscat de Noël is best drunk in its first two years.

The Closi Rosé

Domaine Boudau's Closi Rosé is made from 40% Grenache Noir, 40% Syrah and 20% Cinsault.

It has a beautiful bright fuchsia colour. Its nose is greedy, filled with flavours of red fruits and English sweets.

Its mouth marks a frank attack. It is balanced and lively, still very fruity. Its beautiful length is appreciable.