Balazu des Vaussieres

The history of Domaine Balazu des Vaussieres

Domaine Balazu des Vaussieres was founded by Christian Charmasson. Balazu - meaning baladin in old Provençal - was the nickname of Christian's grandfather, known for his talent as a storyteller. The farm's address is chemin de la Vaussière, which explains the second part of the estate's name.

Christian Charmasson manages the estate with his wife Nadia. The couple distinguish themselves by their wine-making methods, with a particularly long vat ageing period of three years.

Domaine Balazu des Vaussieres vineyard

Domaine Balazu des Vaussieres is located near Nîmes, in the southern Rhône Valley. The vineyard covers 5 hectares in the communes of Tavel and Lirac. It boasts a fine diversity of terroirs, with four different soil types:

- predominantly limestone, covered with flat limestone stones on islands of clay, known as lauzes ;
- soil of rolled pebbles on a clay subsoil;
- deep lowland soil, not very stony and well drained;
- light, dry sandy soil. Domaine Balazu des Vaussieres is run biodynamically, which implies natural practices, with fewer interventions: respect for the lunar calendar, grassed soils, natural mixtures based on horn silica to nourish and strengthen their vines, without the need for chemical inputs, no use of sulfur or copper sulfate.

The grape varieties grown at Domaine Balazu des Vaussieres are 60% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 15% Clairette, 5% Carignan and 5% Syrah for the AOC Tavel wine, which is a rosé only.

For white and red wine production, other grape varieties complete the blends: Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne and Bourboulenc.

Domaine Balazu des Vaussieres wines

Domaine Balazu des Vaussieres - Rosé belonging to the Tavel appellation

Domaine Balazu des Vaussieres' rosé wine, AOC Tavel, has a light pink color, luminous and pure when young. If kept for more than a year, it takes on pale gold hues, then continues to evolve towards copper and amber tones.

The nose offers a wide range of aromas, with floral notes, red berries and stone fruits, sometimes accompanied by hints of fresh almonds. After a year's cellaring, the ripe fruit comes to the fore, underlined by notes of roasted almonds and spices.

The palate is full of stone fruits, almonds, spices and toast. Its roundness makes it soft, and its fruity notes linger through the long finish.

Domaine Balazu des Vaussieres - Blanc belonging to the Lirac appellation

This white wine from the Lirac appellation has a pale yellow color with green highlights. Its nose blends aromas of peach, citrus and white flowers. On the palate, it's unctuous and straightforward from the outset, bursting with fruity and floral notes of great finesse that carry through to the finish.