Les Foulards Rouges - Jean François Nicq
ROUSSILLON
Pioneer of natural wine in a cooperative cellar (Cave des Vignerons d'Estézargues), Jean-François Nicq then settled in Roussillon, where he actively participated in the new impetus that energized the young generation of northern Catalonia. Farming and vinification without chemical products, and a quest for fruit and freshness: Nicq's wines are distinguished by their delicious drinkability.
Director of the Cave des Vignerons d'Estézargues in the Gard for a dozen years (1989-2001), Jean-François Nicq initiated a natural vinification process - a first for a Rhône cooperative - by vinifying with indigenous yeasts and without added sulfur. This approach influenced Gard winegrowers such as Éric Pfifferling (L'Anglore) and Jean-François Nicq continued it when he created his own domain Les Foulards Rouges in 2002 in Roussillon, between the Albères and the Mediterranean coast. The domain, which has grown from 9 to 15 hectares, is mainly composed of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah on a terroir of poor soils (granitic arenas) marked by the freshness from the sea, which compensates for the high temperatures. Resulting from a carbonic maceration in whole bunches (all or part depending on the cuvée), without input of any kind, the wines are juicy and digestible.
