The Producer
The Amistat estate was born from the meeting of two winemakers, Julien Ditté and Olivier Cazenave, united by a friendship and a shared passion for the historic grape varieties of Roussillon, particularly Grenache. Their project came to life around 2010-2011 with the idea of producing authentic wines, far from the standardization of taste, by valuing a Mediterranean vineyard that is sometimes threatened with uprooting due to lack of profitability. Their production remains deliberately confidential, in order to preserve an artisanal and peasant approach to the winemaking profession.
The estate is located in Roussillon, south of Perpignan, in the Aspres area, near the Spanish border. The vines, primarily planted with Grenache, Macabeu, and Carignan, grow on soils of brown schist mixed with clay, quartz, and pebbles, characteristic of this Catalan landscape. The vineyard covers about 3.5 hectares, allowing for entirely manual work and special attention to each plot. The vines are managed without chemical herbicides, with natural ground cover and a search for balance between vigor and deep rooting.
Today, Amistat produces a range of natural wines made with spontaneous fermentations using indigenous yeasts, without filtration and with very few sulfites. The cuvées – red, white, or maceration wines – reflect the Mediterranean grape varieties of the estate, particularly Grenache in various forms as well as Macabeu. The wines are aged and bottled with minimal intervention, in order to preserve the expression of the vintage, the terroir, and the fruit, with the idea of offering lively, sincere wines that are deeply connected to their origin.
The Wine
Fermentation of whole clusters of Grenache Gris and Macabeu in stainless steel tanks. A 12-month aging in bottle, without contact with wood, highlights the minerality of Grenache and the typicity of the schist soils.
Tasting
Grenache Gris brings a salmon hue that evolves over time into a beautiful copper color. This "Rosé against the trend" contrasts with its tannic structure and deep bitterness akin to an IPA beer or a Gin and Tonic.
Tatsima Gris stands in opposition to the aperitif Rosé. With an astonishing tannic structure, it blends fresh walnut and aromas of candied melon. This wine is designed to pair with spicy dishes from Eastern cuisine.