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NOVICE LEVEL

The world of wine seems to be a difficult world to understand. However, wine can be tasted and appreciated by all.

You don’ know much about wine but you are curious and want to discover the pleasure of tasting? This article is for you! Here you will find the first keys to wine tasting.

Enjoy it 😉…

CHOIX DU VIN

Type of wine

No need to buy fancy and expensive wines. You can purchase varietal wines or Vin de France for example.

These are quality wines without being PDO (protected designation of origin) AOP.

Food and wine pairings

We often wonder which wine to serve with a meal. In reality any wine can be drunk with any dish. However, we advise to follow the rules below.

- A powerful wine with a strong dish (Fior example a stew would go very well with our Les Sources de Montmirail Gigondas wine)
- A round wine with a standard dish. (A margherita pizza would go very well with our Petit Cochonnet Pinot Noir IGP Pays d’Oc)

The objective is not to spoil the flavors of a dish with a wine that is too strong in the mouth.

LIEUX D’ACHAT

You can find this type of wine in the retail sector and also on our website (online store part). We offer a wide range of varietal wines (Petit Cochonnet : chardonnay, grenache rosé, sauvignon blanc, merlot, pinot, etc.) and Vin de France (Voiturette : cabernet-sauvignon, syrah, grenache, chardonnay sauvignon blanc, etc.).

These wines will cost you between 3€ and 6€ a bottle. A good way to understand the world of wine without getting bankrupt !

TASTER’S TOOLBOX

When you are about to taste wine for the first time, it is best to have a few suitable tools.

Choice of corkscrew

All of the corkscrews will be able to open bottles of wine. Obviously the corkscrew will be different depending on what use you make of it : professional, personal use or occasional pleasure.

We recommend the double-lever corkscrew for tasting wine with family or friends. It is easy to use and robust.

Choice of glass

Serving wine in a glass avoids altering the taste of the wine. Contrary to plastic and cardbard, glass does not retain odors.

A glass of wine contains several parts :

- Chalice
- Foot
- Base

The shape of the glass is also very important. For example, if the same wine is served in different types of glasses (mustard glass beer glass, water glass) you will not smell the same thing.

The stemmed glass keeps the wine at the right temperature. It’s recommended to hold the glass by the stem when you taste a white wine to preserve its freshness. However, you can hold it by the chalice when tasting a red wine to warm it slightly and allow it to best reveal its flavours.

The INAO tulip type glass is the most classic/standard glass. This glass is commonly used by the winegrowers themselves to taste their wine.

The opening diameter of the glass facilitates the diffusion of the flavours. The smaller the diameter of the opening, the better the diffusion of flavours is.

Open the bottle of wine correctly

Got the right material in your hand ? Good, you can now get down to business by opening the bottle.

- Cut the capsule

First you need to remove the cap from the bottle. You have the choice between two techniques : cut the capsule above or below the ring. Generally the capsule is cut below the ring for aesthetic reasons but also to prevent wine contact with the capsule which could be oxidized.

You can cut the capsule with the screw tip of your double lever corkscrew.

- Drill the cork

We advise you to use the double lever corkscrew which is the easiest tool to use for beginners.

The corkscrew must be straight above the bottle and the screw positioned in the center of the cork. If your corkscrew is not placed correctly, your cork is more likely to break.

Turn the handle of the corkscrew until the screw is 3/4 in. Be careful not to pierce the cork . this could break the cork ior cause particles (of cork) to fall into the wine.

NB: It is the tool that must rotate and not the bottle.

- Remove the cap

Grasp the bottle with one hand and lift the wings with the other to raise the cork. Gently remove the cork to avoid splashing wine.

- Serve the wine

Serve the wine in a glass and only fill it halfway. It’s necessary that the poured wine can develop its flavours through the air. The sides of the glass thus retain the aromas for as long as possible before tasting.

TASTING ADVICE

Moderate consumption

Alcohol should be avoided in the following situations : pregnancy, driving, taking certain medications or operating machinery. These guidelines apply when wine is consumed as part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle and according to the following drinking habits:

- Consume wine with your meals
- Alternate each glass of wine with a glass of water
- Avoid binge drinking
- Don’t dribnk and drive

Perception of tasting

If you are tasting wine for the first time in the company of your friends or a connoisseur, you should not be embarrassed if you do not discern the same conclusions. The feeling during a tasting is unique to each person. It’s something personal because we don’t all have the same taste.

The stages of the tasting

Tasting a wine consists of three stages: visual, olfactory and gustatory,eye, nose, mouth (Each of these three stages appeals to one of our senses).

The visual analysis is used to observe the color of the wine.

The olfactory analysis is used to determine the main types of aromas flavours that are in the wine.

- Aromas: fruity, floral, vegetal, woody, spicy, empyreumatic

The taste analysis is used to determine the structure of the wine. Leave the wine in your mouth for a few seconds and then spit it out.

- White wine: dry (acidity) or mellow (velvety in the mouth)
- Red wine: supple (melted/fine) or tannic (harsh/rough)

Tasting temperature

30/30 rule:

- WHITE/ROSE WINE: keep the wine in the fridge, take it out at least 30 minutes before tasting. In this way, they will gain a few degrees and you will drink them between 10 and 12° Celsius and not at the freezing 5° of the fridge.

- RED WINE: keep the wine at room temperature, put it in the fridge 30 minutes before tasting to reach between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius.

Keep a wine after opening

Once opened, the wine is difficult to keep because of the air which accelerates its ageing.

A corked red wine can be kept for 4 days in the refrigerator (cool place without light).

A corked white wine can be kept for 2 days in the refrigerator.

GOOD EXPERIENCE !

SEE YOU SOON !

Discover the new corporate film of Vignobles & Compagnie.
Here the Pont du Gard and the sumptuous landscapes of the Rhône Valley are in the spotlight. A corporate film to retrace the history and thus better understand the philosophy of this Winery committed since 1963. Indeed, it has been working discreetly for over 50 years to preserve and promote the terroirs of the Rhone Valley.

Today it is the awakening of the sleeping beauty. A rich past, committed and dynamic teams, a desire to offer wines for pleasure and sharing… From now on, enter the world of Vignobles & Compagnie.

David ZIELINSKI – Export Manager

David Zielinski has been Export Manager at Vignobles & Compagnie for several years. He shares with us his experience and his vision of the Winery. 💭

– What are for you the values/philosophy of Vignobles & Compagnie? –

“The primary value of Vignobles & Compagnie is its challenger spirit. It is the ability to do a lot with a little. It is tireless.
Another important value is fairness. At Vignobles & Compagnie, all people are considered equally. The success is that of a group and not of an individual.
What also characterizes Vignobles & Compagnie is the emulation created by trust, complacency and sharing.”

– What are the ones you share with Vignobles & Compagnie? –

“Mostly I share the spirit of challenging with Vignobles & Compagnie. I am challenged by success and constant improvement.
Fairness for all is also fundamental. I apply fairness among all for global trust.”

– How do you apply them on a daily basis? –

“I apply them on a daily basis by loyally representing all people in the company in front of customers.
The challenger spirit is found in the conquest of new markets.
For this, it is natural for me to adapt to different personality types internally and externally for overall success.”

MELANIE & LORÈNE, MARKETING DUO

Today, we present you the interview of our marketing duo Vignobles & Compagnie: Mélanie and Lorène. Their power duo is fueled by a passion for doing things right. Discover them through this series of questions and answers:

– What are the values/philosophy of the company for you? –

“In our opinion, the main values of Vignobles & Compagnie are first of all HELP. A benevolence between all stakeholders (employees, suppliers, customers).
Also, SHARING with the importance of exchanging successes and failures. Our cooperation allows us to improve our skills among employees.
We are also very COMMITTED. A strong loyalty and fidelity to our convictions and promises.
PERSEVERANCE characterizes Vignobles & Compagnie. A tenacity and a desire for continuous improvement on a daily basis, no matter what the odds.”

– What are the ones you share with the company? –

“We share them all but we are especially attached to HELP and SHARING which are the ones that guide our daily life.”

– How do you apply them on a daily basis? –

“We apply ENTRAIDE within the department, through our ability to work in pairs. In the company, we make ourselves available to the entire V&co team on a daily basis.
We are in perpetual EXCHANGE, our duo is fluid and dynamic, we share our knowledge and our skills. A state of mind that is both healthy and collaborative!
This SHARING is a source of motivation and emulation. In the company, our cooperation and transparency form our greatest strength.”

CHRISTINE SOULIER, ADV EXPORT MANAGER

Christine SOULIER is part of the Vignobles & Compagnie sales team. As Export Sales Development Assistant Manager, she follows each of our vintages outside our borders with attention and passion. Discover here her portrait:

– What are, for you, the values/philosophy of the company? –

“For me, 3 essential elements drive us at Vignobles & Compagnie:

– RESPECT: of employees, mutual respect between colleagues, respect of business partners, respect of the product we sell, of the environment.

– FLEXIBILITY / VERSATILITY: the hallmark of an SME!

– The DESIRE FOR IMPROVEMENT: to satisfy our customers, to maintain and improve our wines and services while controlling our market share.”

– What are the ones you share with the company? –

“I share all the values of Vignoble & Compagnie!”

– If so, how do you apply them on a daily basis?

– “I try to apply them on a daily basis. I think I am a very respectful person by nature. My functions are very versatile: from customer contact to the Administrative Export backoffice. Having been in the job for a year and a half, I still have a lot to learn and improve!”

[ Corporate Social Responsibility ]

As part of its activities, Vignobles & Compagnie is committed to a CSR approach in order to better understand the social, economic, environmental and societal issues.

Concerned about the well-being of our consumers and collaborators, it is essential for us to transmit the values that animate the Winery: the spirit of challenge, solidarity and commitment through 4 fundamental pillars

Creating value for us and for the industry
We pay close attention to our products, to guarantee exceptional quality and to continuously improve our customers’ satisfaction. This is achieved through innovation, but also by maintaining and developing our partnerships with winemakers, suppliers and local institutions.

Promoting human capital
Well-being at work is an important element of our CSR approach. By boosting social dialogue and human resources support, we are strengthening the quality of life at work. This project also includes local players: schools, culture, associations, etc.

Improving internal organization
It is important to optimize all the tools and processes within Vignobles & Compagnie by structuring our communication system.

Support our environmental project
The well-being of our terroir is essential, both from an ecological and qualitative point of view for our wines. In connection with the preservation of biodiversity, we are eager to develop our offer in organic and biodynamic wine. We want to promote this project and sustainable agriculture to all our partners.

Throughout the year, we will continue to take steps in this direction and bring this CSR project to life! Follow us to learn more and witness our commitment on a daily basis.

JOSÉ MAINTENANCE MANAGER

Today, José, Head of the Maintenance Department at Vignobles & Compagnie, talks about his contribution to the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) project and the actions implemented.

How does the maintenance department contribute to the creation of value at La Winerie?

The maintenance department works closely with the production department.
It consists in improving the efficiency of the technical means and, by resonance, the human means of Vignobles & Compagnie to reach an exceptional result.
More than ever our world is changing and we have been witnessing a radical climate change for a few years. More and more companies are concerned about their carbon footprint and their impact on the environment. On our side, we are planning to install solar panels on our site. This would make us a producer and supplier of renewable energy.

How do you value the human capital within the Vignobles & Compagnie ecosystem?

It is the combined skills and experience of each employee that develops a synergy and generates the performance of Vignobles & Compagnie.
It is important to me to pass on my knowledge to the younger generations. In partnership with schools, we allow apprentices to learn about the world of work and maintenance and thus transmit the qualities that I believe are essential in our profession: professionalism, rigor and positivity.
We have a direct impact on human capital and in particular on the quality of life at work by optimizing each position so that employees are in the best conditions to accomplish their missions.

What is your contribution to improving the internal organization?

The maintenance department ensures that regular updates are made with the production department. During technical stoppages, maintenance meets with each technical operator to understand their needs and discuss the various technical modifications that will be undertaken.
We also communicate on the company’s future investments and the progress of the work.

What is the positive environmental impact of the Sales/Export department?

At Vignobles & Compagnie we sort waste according to its composition (toxicity, duration,…) in order to eliminate or reuse it and reduce our impact on the environment.

The department is functionally the most affected by the consumption of resources and energy. For several years now, the company has been working to preserve these elements by reducing their use and recycling them (use and purification of water in basins, preservation of water tables, widespread use of detection lighting, etc.).
More globally, the Winery is also looking to improve its energy performance through the use of less polluting transport, with biofuel fleets. It also wants to impact its employees and is interested in installing charging stations for electric car users.

“Progress is only possible through change.

FABRICE PRODUCTION MANAGER

Today, Fabrice, Production Manager at Vignobles & Compagnie, talks about his contribution to the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) project and the actions implemented.

How does the production department contribute to the creation of value at La Winerie?

Our business unit plays a key role at Vignobles et Compagnie.
We make a wine design idea into a successful product.
We contribute to the value of the final product thanks to our internationally recognized know-how.

How do you value the human capital within the Vignobles & Compagnie ecosystem?

The Winery makes it a point of honor to guarantee health, quality of life and safety at work. It contributes to work for all by adapting jobs to accommodate disabled workers.
The adjustments made to each workstation allow our employees to work in optimal conditions and thus support them throughout their career.

What is your contribution to improving internal organization?

We optimize the internal organization by equipping it with ever more modern and efficient machines that contribute to the automation of production, and to the improvement and lightening of work stations.

What is the positive environmental impact of the Sales/Export department?

The majority of waste is sorted (cardboard, labels, bottles, plastic, etc.) and compacted to reduce the number of trips made by our recycling service provider.
The modernization of our equipment allows us, for example, to save a significant volume of water during the production of wines.
“Producing wines while respecting our environment is our motto.

DAVID, EXPORT MANAGER

David Export Manager of Vignobles & Compagnie tells us about his contribution to the CSR project (Corporate Social Responsibility) and the actions implemented.

How does the marketing department participate in the value creation?

Vignobles & Compagnie is now sold in 40 countries around the world, with a hundred “active customers”. The sales development as well as the raise of our international recognition, contribute to the Vignobles & Compagnie’s brand image as a main player within the wine industry. The purpose is, of course, to create material value but also ,and above all, awareness, as intangible value. This means that the consumer will no longer choose a bottle from our winery by chance, thanks to many new projects created each year with the help of the marketing and purchasing department.

How do you value human capital within the Vignobles et Compagnie ecosystem?

Let’s not forget that in the export department we represent the winery on the international scene. We embody the 43 employees during each sale, each trip; we represent our coworkers who get up every morning to come to work. We are very proud of it, very aware of the responsibility that these tasks entail, and at the same time aware of our luck. Without everyone’s contribution, nothing is possible. As a staff representative, my motivations are the improvement of social links and dialogue, as well as the representation of the voices of supervisors and managers.

What is your contribution to improving the internal organization?

We set up inter-services common tools (such as dashboards) which serve to “horizontalize” the information. We work with the French sales department as well as marketing and quality services to set up relevant monitoring indicators and corrective action plans.

What is the positive environmental impact of the marketing department?

It is a set of actions to which we contribute through the marketing of our wines:

– we plant trees thanks to the sales of the “Les Combelles” brand
– we develop HVE3, ORGANIC and BIODYNAMIC cuvées
– we are committed to setting up a 100% ORGANIC TERROIRS range

“In reality, we do CSR every day!”