Domaine Miolanne Cotes d'Auvergne 'Volcane' Rouge, Loire, France

Fresh red fruit, savory spice, and a distinctive thread of smoke give 2025 Domaine Miolanne Côtes d'Auvergne 'Volcane' Rouge an unmistakably volcanic personality. Equal parts Pinot Noir and Gamay, the wine comes from organically farmed vines planted at approximately 450 meters on volcanic ash and pumice formed by eruptions of the Massif du Sancy. Indigenous fermentation, gentle extraction, and six months on fine lees preserve the vintage's juicy fruit and freshness while developing the supple texture and smoky complexity at the heart of Volcane.

Product Details:

• Proprietors: Laure Cartier and Jean-Baptiste Deroche
• Winemaker: Jean-Baptiste Deroche
• Blend: 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Gamay
• Farming: Certified organic
• Certification: Agriculture Biologique
• Vineyard Elevation: Approximately 450 meters
• Soil: Volcanic ash and pumice
• Harvest: 100% hand-harvested
• Yield: 38 hL/ha
• Pre-Fermentation: Cold maceration for 8 to 10 days
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts with remontage and délestage through mid-fermentation
• Malolactic Fermentation: Completed
• Aging: 6 months on fine lees
• Filtration: Unfiltered
• ABV: 13%

Sensory Description:

Ruby red in the glass, with a generous aromatic profile centered on fresh red fruit and gradually developing notes of smoke, tobacco, incense, and savory spice. The palate is supple and ample, with juicy fruit at its core and enough freshness to keep the wine dynamic and lifted. Pinot Noir contributes structure and finesse while Gamay brings immediate fruit and approachability. A subtle smoky quality carries through the finish, reinforcing the wine's distinctive volcanic character without overwhelming its bright fruit.

Winemaker's Background:

Domaine Miolanne is run by Laure Cartier and Jean-Baptiste Deroche, who took over the property in 2012 after searching throughout France for distinctive terroir on which to establish their own project. Cartier grew up in a Provençal winegrowing family and trained in environmental studies, while Deroche is a trained oenologist. Together they converted the estate to organic farming, achieving Agriculture Biologique certification in 2016. Today the property encompasses 18 hectares, including 12 hectares of vines cultivated without chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or synthetic pesticides. The vineyards sit at the foot of the Parc des Volcans d'Auvergne, where volcanic formations, altitude, low rainfall, and pronounced day-to-night temperature changes shape the wines. Hand harvesting, parcel-by-parcel vinification, indigenous yeasts, and unfiltered bottling form the core of their approach, with the goal of expressing the individual volcanic and clay-limestone terroirs as clearly as possible.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 14 to 16 degrees Celsius in a medium-sized red wine glass. A brief period of air can help a young bottle reveal its smoky, savory nuances alongside the fresh fruit. Pair with grilled beef, roast poultry, pork, country ham, charcuterie, mushrooms, grilled vegetables, or rustic cheeses. Its supple fruit and savory, lightly smoky finish make it particularly well suited to grilled meats and simple countryside dishes.