Malbec wine from Paris!

The long established vineyard Clos Montmartre in Paris, just behind Sacre Coeur, must now face new competition. It is the Bretonneau hospital in the 18th arrondisment that has launched its first vintage of Clos Bretonneau. Three years ago they planted 125 Malbec vines and at the end of May the first vintage, the 2007 were presented. A very decent, fruity and unpretentious wine, in particular considering the vines are only three years old. The wine is vinified at the hospital in its own wine cellar equipped with stainless steel tanks and all! Veronique Desjardins, the hospital director, sees the new vineyard as an important part of the therapy for the patients (old-age people needing constant hospital treatment): "It revives old memories – who has not harvested grapes once when young? It becomes a discussion subject and the patients can even help with the harvest." To serve wine at the meals at the hospital is self evident in this place. Consulting winemaker is Fabrice Duron from Chateau de Gaudou in Cahors. "Clos Bretonneau is a micro-cuvée", he says, "but it's made just like the wines I make at home and I'm very proud of this vintage. But the vines are young and it will only get better!"

(Here's a short video about the hospital, but not on the wine though.)

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