Introducing a New Line of Biodynamic Rhone Wines from the Prestigious Costières de Nîmes AOC in the Rhône Valley

From the Costières de Nîmes (Ko-stee-AIR-de-NEEM) region of the Rhône Valley comes our newest Château Beaubois Biodynamic Rhone Wines. Château Beaubois represents 60 hectares and is situated at the very South of the Appellation of the Rhone Valley, in the Costières de Nimes. 10 km away from the Sea and the city of Nimes and situated at 10 meters of altitude. Château Beaubois’ “Expression” line truly embodies this unique AOC of the Rhone Valley known for its innovation and commitment to sustainability. Château Beaubois is one of the Top 3 wineries in the Costières de Nimes and the only one that is Demeter Certified Biodynamic.

A paradox created by its specific terroir, Costières de Nîmes is both the southernmost and coolest AOC of the southern Rhône, creating distinctive and delicious wines. While it sits at the intersection of the Rhône Valley, Languedoc, and Provence, Costières de Nîmes wines are distinctly expressive of their specific, unique terroir. The region sits between the valley of the Gardon River to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The terroir of Costières de Nimes is similar to Château Neuf du Pape with rolled pebbles, but smaller and more numerous. The pebbles are light brown, the biggest ones are in the red plots to hold the warmth at night and the smallest ones in the rosé and white plots to preserve the freshness providing both good fruit and acidity.

Expression Rouge – French Biodynamic Wine – 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 10% Marselan. Pleasant nose of blackcurrant, blackberry, liquorice. On the palate, the wine has soft tannins with aromas of red fruits, liquorice, flower and spices. A tasty and supple wine which could be served throughout the meal, with vegetables, meat and cheese.

Expression Blanc – French Biodynamic Wine – 40% Roussanne, 40% Grenache, 10% Viognier, 10% Vermentino. Yellow with a silver iridescence. Nose of white flower and lemon. A refreshing and acidulous mouthfeel with notes of citrus and white pepper with a salty finish. A fresh and crisp wine, enjoy as aperitif wine, with fish, shellfish and cheese.

Expression Rosé – French Biodynamic Wine – 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 10% Cinsault.. Clear pale pink reflects with a purple iridescence. Fine nose of peach, raspberries, redcurrants, pomelo and exotic fruits. Lively and full on the palate with aromas of red fruits. An expressive rose wine, refreshing and crispy, which could be served during aperitif and throughout the meal.

The Unique Climate of Costières de Nîmes Produces Outstanding Biodynamic Rhone Wines

There are two primary influences in the Costières de Nimes region, weather and climate. The southern temperatures create a Mediterranean climate, but the strong Mistral wind cools at the hottest hours. The cold, dry and fierce Mistral wind blows down from the north along the lower Rhône River valley toward the Mediterranean Sea. This hot climate sucks in the crisp air of the sea and brings freshness and humidity throughout the day. A marshy plain called the Petite Camargue provides direct exposure of the vineyards to the sea, creating a unique microclimate for these Biodynamic Rhone wines.

The terroir is composed of pebbles which are detached from the Haut Brianconnais in the Alpes during the Quaternary. The Rhone and the Durance have transported those pebbles to the first exposures of the sea. The combination of the rocks maintaining heat, then being cooled by the Mistral winds of the sea creates an oven effect, causing warm air to rise and bring the cool sea breeze into the vineyards. It gives the wines a taste of saltiness and iodine especially on the white and rosé, but also slightly present in the reds. Château Beaubois Expression wines have less alcohol than Côtes du Rhones wines and are more balanced due to the terroir and climate. They are truly salivating wines. Stony soil “Gress”

• The characteristic of the superb terroir is the sum of many factors: • The soils are made up of pebbles, the oldest element in the appellation that plays an accelerator role for heating up (Cailloutis Villafranchien originated from Durancienne and Rhôdanienne, eroded and colluvial deposit) • The Mistral has a positive influence over our terroir; its character as a “lifesaver” is well known especially by limiting the effects of disease. • Being as close as it is, the thermal winds from the Mediterranean Basin refreshes the vineyard during the hottest hours in summer. This feature is so important that it distills the freshness in all the wines of Chateau Beaubois. • The red and white grape varieties represent a real Rhone feature.

The zone of Camargue and petite Camargue provides wonderful wild landscapes. Ponds, reed beds and biodiversity form a triptych of splendors. History of the Costières de Nîmes Appellation

Vines have been found in the region that date back 6000 years BC with remains of the Volcs (wine grown for their own consumption) from Greek winegrowers. The Romans followed, creating the first cooperatives. History shows they would harvest in different places and vinify in one. By the 12th century, the The Moine Cisterciens (terroirs finders) ran the region’s vineyards and an abbey. The abbey was situated 200 meters from the estate of Château Beaubois but was destroyed during the Revolution. The vines at that time were distributed among 250 owners. Costières de Nimes became an AOC in 1986, and is known by wine experts as one of the best kept secrets of the Rhone Valley.

Château Beaubois was first established as a working winery from 1920-1947 by Margueritte and René Mouret. He was a country doctor on horse, and she was one of the first women in the region to manage a winery. “They have registered the first pages of our family history on this terroir. Leaving the cooperative in order to vinify the first parcels of the winery.”

Château Beaubois – Pretty Woods – French Biodynamic Wine

Originally the chateau was surrounded only by a multitude of different trees. Today Château Beaubois is still surrounded by 20 hectares of woods and the Domaine is the barn of the Abey. They also have a second name of Château which is Château Grange des Beaubois – roughly the castle of the barn in the trees.

Sister and Brother Fanny and François Boyer

Today, Fanny Boyer works with her brother François and they are the 4th generation winemakers at Château Beaubois.

In 1920, the Family acquired this Domaine and they are celebrating their 100 anniversary this year. Hopefully with a party in June.

They are pioneers in this appellation, first to go Terra Vitis (20 years ago) and first vineyard in HVE3 (10 years ago) on the department when this certification is starting to bloom in France since last years. The winery has been certified organic since 2009 and in conversion towards Biodynamic since 2019. The last four vintages have also been Certified Biodynamic.

We are currently taking pre-orders for Château Beaubois Expression Biodynamic Rhone Wines. Look for them to arrive at retailers and restaurants in early 2021.