Franck Balthazar Cote du Rhone 2021

Grapes: 75% Syrah, 25% Grenache

Founded in 1931, Domaine Franck Balthazar has been managed since 2002 by Franck, who succeeded his father René. Vineyards are organic and plowed with a horse, whole bunches are fermented with native yeasts in concrete vats. Wine is unfiltered.  To preserve the scent of the old vines and plantations at high altitude, all the wines are aged in old 600-litre demi-muids. 

A "demi-muid" is a French term referring to a large oak barrel, typically holding 600 liters, used in winemaking and sometimes for aging beer. The name comes from the French word "muid," meaning a large cask or barrel, and "demi," meaning half, suggesting it's roughly half the size of a larger muid. Demi-muids are favored for their larger size, which results in a more gentle oak influence on the wine or beer compared to smaller barrels.