Couvent des Thorins is the new benchmark for high-quality cru Beaujolais for the US consumer
November 2020, Sonoma, Calif. — Beginning Nov. 1, 2020, Château du Moulin-à-Vent, located in the most renowned cru appellation Moulin-à-Vent in Beaujolais, will now see its 2000 cases of Couvent des Thorins listed at over 180 Whole Foods stores throughout the U.S.A. The placement will guarantee wider availability of this affordable, food-friendly, 100% old vines Gamay wine to U.S. consumers just in time for the holidays.
This approachable and accessible wine demonstrates the evolution in quality of Beaujolais. Consumer perceptions of Beaujolais have been dominated by the Nouveau style – youthful, quaffable wines released within a month of harvest in late November. However, this cru Beaujolais AOC has much more complexity that offer tremendous food pairing potential as well as value – important qualities for any wine heading into the holiday season.
The Couvent des Thorins, retailing at $25, offers an affordable option for a cru Beaujolais wine crafted with meticulous attention to detail from the vineyard to the cellar. The vines are farmed organically, with zero use of pesticides and weed-killer, no filtration and a vegan-compliant wine with very low dose of sulfur used — farming methods in tune with contemporary trends and consumer demands. In the cellar, after 40% whole-cluster fermentation, the wine (from the 2018 vintage) sees 15 months in 100% stainless steel, revealing a salivating wine with aromas and flavors of petrichor, earth and fresh dark fruits, medium body, and supple, ripe tannins. Additional technical information about the wine is available here.
The partnership with Whole Foods now guarantees this affordable yet sophisticated Gamay will be available to more wine consumers across the USA, with a focus on markets including Florida, Texas, California and Illinois, among others.
Gamay and Beaujolais have enjoyed a substantial increase in popularity over the past decade, gaining prominence first and foremost for its versatility as a pairing for food. The Couvent des Thorins is an ideal wine for the holiday period, as it pairs so well with rich foods due to its high acidity and fruity character.
“Château du Moulin-à-Vent and Whole Foods share a dedication to natural ingredients, strict quality standards, and commitment to sustainable agriculture,” says Edouard Parinet, co-proprietor of Château du Moulin-à-Vent. “I look forward to our partnership bringing fine wine and food to conscious consumers.”
For more information about the wine or which Whole Foods stores currently stock Couvent des Thorins, please contact Katie Canfield of O’Donnell Lane at 530-720-1138 or katie@odonnell-lane.com.
About Château du Moulin-à-Vent
Located in the northernmost tip of the Beaujolais region, between Burgundy and Rhône, Moulin-à-Vent was one of the first appellations awarded AOC status in 1936. Château du Moulin-à-Vent, named for the 300-year-old stone windmill dates back to 1732. Today, the estate encompasses 30 hectares (74.1 acres) of the appellation’s finest climats — Les Vérillats, Le Champ de Cour, La Rochelle — planted to Gamay Noir averaging 50 years in age. The underlying granite sands are rich in iron oxide, copper and manganese, which may account for the wines’ complexity. The Parinet family is leading this domain to the very top of the Beaujolais region. They have been named in multiple occasions as one of the best wineries in the world and their wines are listed in some of the finest venues in 20+ countries. For more information, visit chateaudumoulinavent.com or contact US importer Wilson Daniels: wilsondaniels.com.
