Have you ever tried red wine chilled like white wine, around 10-12 degrees Celsius? No? Well, neither had I until I went to a tasting by M. Chapoutier at a masterclass given by Martin Champagne in Amsterdam. This famous biodynamic winery in France’s Rhône Valley always mixes tradition with innovation. This time, they’ve created a red wine meant to be enjoyed chilled. I was blown away during the tasting, and they even sent me a bottle to try again for this review. Thanks to M. Chapoutier for sending me the bottle!
Rouge Clair: super fresh and bursting with flavor!
Michel Chapoutier always finds cool new ways to share wine with more people. With Rouge Clair, he’s done it again—this red wine is perfect for chilling over ice to match today’s dining and drinking vibes. Rouge Clair is made from 80% Grenache noir and 20% Syrah, picked from the clay-limestone terraces of the Montagne Noir foothills. The vines are in great shape and picked at just the right time. They even harvest at night to keep the grapes fresh and a bit under-ripe for that pure, fruity flavor.
For vinification, after de-stemming and vatting, the grapes are yeasted and cooled for 72 hours with minimal intervention to keep the color light and the aromas strong. Alcoholic fermentation happens at 20°C, followed by a touch of sulfiting after malolactic fermentation to keep the fruit flavor bright. The Grenache and Syrah vats are blended a few weeks after vinification and aged in stainless steel vats for three months. This results in a fresh-style wine that’s perfect to drink chilled. Aperitif dinner, shared platters at a wine bar, summer cuisine, etc… not very tannic, it pairs well with both meat and fish, and even exotic dishes. Rouge Clair is a great alternative to rosé.
Bottle on the left is warm and on the right is cold
The story behind the bottle of Rouge Clair
For over 400 years, people thought a wine’s quality was all about its alcohol content. Then came AOCs, adding another layer of quality. We’ve always thought you shouldn’t chill red wine because it messes with its aromas and makes the tannins harsher. Red wine, especially, has been stuck in this snobby mindset it desperately wants to break free from. But once you make red wine that can be chilled or even served on ice, everything changes, and the wine can finally break free from those limiting rules. That’s exactly what this Rouge Clair does—it’s all about being approachable and high quality without the pretentiousness. Made under the Vin de France label, which gives more freedom, this first Rouge Clair 2023 is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. The grapes are vinified at lower temperatures to create a red wine that’s less tannic, fresher, and fruitier, with a strength of 12.5°. To cut down on waste, the capsule of this LIGHT RED is swapped out for a “bandule” (a mix of band and capsule), and a sustainable sugar cane stopper replaces the wooden cork. The label, still written in Braille, is thermochromic: the word “fresh” shows up when the bottle is in water cooler than 12°.
Michel Chapoutier says, “Great wines aren’t just for fancy occasions. It’s like music: you can enjoy classical and R&B.”
My personal tasting notes
The color of this wine is a ruby raspberry red with aromas of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, plumbs, and lovely herbs like thyme, sage, mint, and rosemary, with a hint of cedarwood and acacia floral notes. The palate is fresh with lots of red fruit, some black fruit influences, and herbs and spices. It’s fresh, clean, well-balanced, with a pleasant long aftertaste. There are a lot of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and a touch of lovely herbs like thyme, rosemary, and the spicy vibe of sage and mint. Cedarwood and acacia floral notes make it complete. The acidity is medium, and the tannins are low and soft, but the structure is present, adding to its elegance.
Thanks to its soft tannins, this elegant wine pairs well with light dishes and spicy flavors, such as Asian chicken with peanut sauce or French classics like pâté en croûte.
A fun fact about this wine: Rouge Clair should be tasted at around 10° when the « & Frais » sign/mention lights up on its label. If it’s not clear, it’s too warm.
This is a great summer wine and a perfect alternative to a Rosé. It has more structure, depth, and elegance, making it a nice change.
Maison M. CHAPOUTIER: The Pioneering Spirit
For over 210 years, Maison M. CHAPOUTIER has been making superb wines while staying true to the natural balance and unique terroirs they’re from. Things got interesting in 1990 when Michel Chapoutier took over and introduced biodynamics to the vineyards.
Michel, a true Earth lover, is driven by his passion for terroirs in his wine journey. Always thinking ahead, he digs up forgotten lands and unexpected spots, believing in creating standout wines. Maison M. CHAPOUTIER owns about ten estates worldwide. It’s also known for its excellent and innovative initiatives, like launching the first Braille labels in 1996 and setting up the first competition for the Best Student Sommelier in Wines and Spirits of France to inspire and keep this passionate profession alive.
Conclusion
M. Chapoutier Rouge Clair 2023 is a refreshing and innovative take on red wine, challenging traditional norms and presenting a new way to enjoy this classic beverage. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just starting your journey, this chilled red wine offers a delightful and unique tasting experience. It pairs beautifully with various dishes, making it a versatile choice for any occasion.
And in France, it’s already a big hit. According to Monique Dassen, who visited the Rhône Valley in July 2024, it’s funny because you could order that Rouge Clair at almost any terrace in Tain-l’Hermitage follow her on Instagram @ms.dassen. Cheers to exploring new flavors and breaking free from convention with this exceptional creation from Maison M. Chapoutier! Thanks again for sending me this bottle, and big thanks to Martin for the fantastic masterclass!
More information about M. Chapoutier: https://www.chapoutier.com/en/