Portraits of winemakers

DOMAINE ANDRÉ MATHIEU: A CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE AOC WINEMAKER

André Mathieu: A Legacy of Winemaking Excellence

A Classic Winemaker's Journey

Originating from a long lineage of winemakers, André Mathieu follows the traditional path of a vintner. He first prepared for and obtained a BTS in "Viticulture-Oenology" in Montpellier before taking over the André Mathieu estate, a family business that has been passed down from father to son for over four centuries.

Previously, the estate was known as Domaine Mathieu. We added my first name because my brother took over some land to start his own venture, André explains.

Today, André benefits from the daily help of an employee who assists him in the vineyards, as well as his wife Cécile, who handles the administrative side, and his daughter Coralie, who joined the family estate in 2016 after completing a master's degree in international business to boost sales and communication. The youngest, Thibault, has also caught the wine bug as he is currently preparing for a BTS in "Viticulture-Oenology."

Domaine André Mathieu: Wines of Pleasure

Spanning 16.5 hectares of vineyards, Domaine André Mathieu is renowned for its two iconic Rhône Valley appellations: Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône. The estate produces a total of 7 cuvées grouped into 2 wine ranges. The first range consists of a red and a rosé wine in AOC Côtes du Rhône, while the second range includes 5 wines in AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, including 2 whites and 3 reds. The annual production is 250 hectoliters for the AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines and 180 hectoliters for the AOC Côtes du Rhône wines.

A proponent of supply rather than demand policies, André is committed to producing "wines of pleasure."

I make the wine that I like, hoping that it will also please consumers. My wines are indulgent, fruity, and smooth on the palate.

For the AOC Côtes du Rhône wines, the winemaker performs a gentle extraction of the grape skins to preserve maximum freshness and fruitiness in his wines. The red wine cuvée "Seriziers," whose 2016 vintage recently won a gold medal at the Concours des Vignerons Indépendants, perfectly embodies this ambition.

Wines Blended from 13 Varieties

Regarding AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, André aims to break away from the two schools of thought that either produce powerful wines or refined and elegant crus. Instead, André favors grape varieties that align with his terroirs. At Domaine André Mathieu, all Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are made from the 13 grape varieties of the AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and winemaking methods vary depending on the dominant grape variety.

For example, the red wine cuvée "Vin di Felibre," made predominantly from Mourvèdre, has been aged in a new oak barrel. It can be enjoyed within 10 years but has a potential aging capacity of over 20 years. In contrast, the red wine "Domaine André Mathieu," which is dominated by Grenache and aged in an old oak barrel, can be enjoyed between 4 and 6 years and can be preserved for over ten years.

New oak will impart woody aromas to the wine, but since Grenache is a very tannic grape, I prefer to age it in an old oak barrel to avoid altering its aromas too much. Mourvèdre, on the other hand, handles wood very well, so I can use a new oak barrel without any issues, explains André.

True to the tradition and family spirit that characterize Domaine André Mathieu, André relies on Coralie and Thibault (who is expected to join the estate in a year) to pass on his winemaking heritage. According to the winemaker, this transfer will bring "a fresh new perspective to the estate."