Bramaventu makes sparkling wines in Banyuls with Grenache Noir and Macabeo, alongside red Grenache and sweet Macabeo.
The producer
La Galline is Bramaventu's vineyard in Banyuls, on gray schist and quartz with a north facing exposure. Its wines include sparkling wine, red Grenache Noir, and sweet Macabeo. VentuVentu uses Grenache Noir and Macabeo. Bramaventu 2021 is pure Grenache Noir. Bandarò is a red from 100% Grenache Noir. Vin Santo 2021 is a sweet Macabeo wine.
Known for
Banyuls Grenache sparkling wines
Notable facts
La Galline covers approximately 2 hectares at 300 meters above sea level.
The Grenache Noir vines at La Galline average 30 years old.
Bramaventu produces approximately 4,000 bottles each year.
The grapes are harvested in late August at approximately 11.5% alcohol after reaching aromatic maturity.
The story
Berlin To Banyuls
Carlo relocated from Berlin to Banyuls to establish a sparkling wine producer. Banyuls was France's southernmost sweet wine stronghold, and local doubts greeted the idea of making sparkling wine there. Local doubts also questioned whether a cool northern site such as La Galline could produce sound red wine from Grenache Noir at all. Carlo continued with Lotte, and Bramaventu kept the project in Banyuls. The decision established Bramaventu as a sparkling wine producer in a region historically skeptical of the category itself.
From the atlas
Bramaventu
Bramaventu makes sparkling wines in Banyuls with Grenache Noir and Macabeo, alongside a red Grenache Noir wine and a sweet Macabeo wine.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Place
Banyuls
Vineyard
La Galline, a single vineyard
Main grapes
Grenache Noir and Macabeo
Styles
Sparkling wine, red wine, and sweet wine
Bottles
VentuVentu, Bramaventu, Bandarò, and Vin Santo
The Producer
Carlo and Lotte harvest Grenache Noir in late August, when the grapes have reached aromatic maturity at approximately 11.5% alcohol. Bramaventu produces approximately 4,000 bottles each year. Only must from the first pressing goes into Bramaventu's own bottles; the remainder is sold to neighboring producers.
First press is the portion drawn before harder pressing extracts more phenolic material. Sparkling producers commonly choose it for a lighter base wine, the wine that later undergoes the second fermentation.
Place
Banyuls is France's southernmost stronghold for sweet wine, and local doubts greeted the decision to make sparkling wine there. Bramaventu's named vineyard is La Galline, a single vineyard covering approximately 2 hectares at 300 meters above sea level. The parcel faces north and sits on gray schist and quartz.
The Tramontana wind carries cool air from the Pyrenees and makes La Galline the coolest site in Banyuls. A north facing exposure and cold air slow ripening, while Grenache Noir develops aroma before sugar accumulation rises quickly.
Wines
The sparkling wines differ in grape composition and dosage. VentuVentu combines 80% Grenache Noir and 20% Macabeo, with an Extra Brut dosage of 3 g/L. Bramaventu 2021 is pure Grenache Noir, bottled as Brut Nature with 0 g/L dosage. Bramaventu's sparkling wines use méthode classique. A second fermentation in the bottle creates the mousse. Lees contact can add creaminess and finer texture. Extra Brut leaves a small amount of sugar after disgorgement, while Brut Nature leaves none.
VentuVentu has a round, creamy nose full of ripe fruits and hints of almonds. Quince, lemon curd, and ripe fruits open the palate, which has pleasant acidity. Bramaventu 2021 has broad, long mousse with an iodine twist.
Bandarò is a red wine from 100% Grenache Noir and 80 year old vines. It has delicate tannins, lively acidity, and a salty finish. Vin Santo 2021 is a sweet wine from 100% Macabeo. The Macabeo is overripe, affected by Botrytis, and sun dried before cask aging. Botrytis is a noble rot that dehydrates grapes and concentrates sugar. The wine has a golden amber color, with apricots, almonds, dried fruits, and spiced honey on the nose.
Final Word
Bramaventu makes sparkling wines in Banyuls and also bottles red Grenache Noir and sweet Macabeo, with La Galline as its named vineyard.