Portraits of winemakers

MAISON CORBIE, A FUN TASTING CONCEPT

276 Views Posted on: 2024-05-31
 

Maison Corbie: A Fun and Educational Tasting Concept

Maison Corbie is the story of two entrepreneurial sons of winemakers. When Gustave and François met at school, they shared the same observation: wine is a complex product that often generates a sense of complexity. They embarked on an ambitious mission to make wine tasting both fun and educational for everyone. Understanding wine is often seen as a time-consuming task that requires taking classes, visiting vineyards, or reading books to explore the world of oenology. What Gustave and François aim to do is make wine—so dear to them—accessible and interesting for a wider audience. Their goal is to encourage consumers to explore without feeling pressured, and to evoke the emotions of tasting even for those new to it. This is how their unique concept was born in 2019.

An Interactive Label

The key concept of Maison Corbie is its label. The label is designed to guide the tasting experience. On the front of the bottle, nothing seems out of the ordinary: grape variety, origin region, vintage. It appears like any other bottle. However, the back label peels off and unfolds... revealing a step-by-step tasting guide and information about the grape variety used in the wine. The label encourages attention to the wine's color, aromas, attack, tannins, flavors, and finish. It allows anyone, with no prior knowledge, to focus on different aspects of tasting. To make the experience even more engaging, a QR code at the bottom of the label guides online tasting and allows participants to compare their results. Who will be the best taster? The innovation and originality of this label have been recognized by Invivoquest and Paris's Startup Boost.

Expressive Wines Reflecting Their Origins

To educate, they have chosen to focus on expressive red wines made from single grape varieties, sourced from their iconic terroirs. The range includes Gamay from Beaujolais, Malbec from Cahors, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Pays d’Oc. Leading the production are oenologists and cellar masters from Château Talbot, Grand Cru Classé in Bordeaux, and Château Sénéjac. These cuvées faithfully express their origins and provide a quality tasting experience. The Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied, rich, and presents fine but powerful tannins, with a characteristic aromatic bouquet of black fruits like cassis and blueberry. The Gamay is lighter, round, and flavorful, expressing raspberry notes and characteristic aromas of red fruits and banana. Finally, the Malbec is dark, intense, and complex, with flavors of prune, violet, blackberry, and licorice. It is ample and complex, with a present but well-balanced tannic structure.

With a resolute focus on the future and innovation, François and Gustave are also looking to connect more closely with terroirs and a new consumer demand: organic viticulture. We eagerly await their upcoming cuvées.