Marie Maria was born of an intrinsic, profound and heartfelt desire to forge ahead with the work of revealing the subtleties of the great terroirs of Madiran and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, for their red and white wines respectively. Contrary to popular belief, our ambition is to shake off the stereotypes of Madiran’s recent image (high in alcohol, full-bodied, concentrated, powerful) and represent, instead, what seem to us to be our Appellation’s best attributes: firmness, freshness and balance. You only have to look to the past to see that wine connoisseurs from the four corners of the earth have always praised the region’s unique style and, thanks to the efforts of many determined, hard-working men and women, this is not about to change.
Roland Podenas, President and winegrower, speaking on behalf of the winegrowers of Marie Maria.
“Dry” White
AOC Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh. Dry White
Terroir: From the three principal terroirs of the appellation (the stony Nappe de Maucor, clay-limestone, gravelly-clay).
Grape Variety: Gros Manseng, Petit Courbu
Wine: Aromas of tropical and citrus fruit, extremely elegant, fresh and eminently quaffable.
Food/Wine Pairings: Aperitif, white meat, goat’s cheese.
> Click here for the spec sheet
“Sweet” White
AOC Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh
Terroir: From the three principal terroirs of the Appellation (the stony Nappe de Maucor, clay-limestone, gravelly-clay).
Grape Variety: Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng
Wine: A superb nose of tropical fruit aromas and truffle notes, a good body, fresh and lively.
Food/Wine Pairings: Smoked salmon, pan-fried foie gras, blue cheese
> Click here for the spec sheet
Young & Easy-drinking
AOC Madiran
Terroir: From the three principal terroirs of the Appellation (the stony Nappe de Maucor, clay-limestone, gravelly-clay).
Grape Variety: Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine: Immediately accessible, fruity, easy to drink, supple, elegant, fresh, very moorish.
Food/Wine Pairings: Roast poultry, grilled white meat, rib steak.
> Click here for the spec sheet
Original Terroir
AOC Madiran
The grapes producing this wine are grown on a terroir that is geologically unique to Madiran, the Nappe de Maucor, and constitutes a stretch of pebbles deposited by running water found in the appellation’s highest altitudes.
Terroir: From one of the three principal terroirs of the appellation (the stony Nappe de Maucor).
Grape Variety: Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine : Intense aromas of black berry fruits, oaky notes, supple, silky tannins. Worth leaving the wine to breath before drinking.
Food/Wine Pairings: Roast poultry, grilled red meat, duck breast.
> Click here for the spec sheet
Original Terroir
AOC Madiran
The grapes producing this wine are grown on a terroir that is geologically unique to Madiran, ancient gravelly-clay soils which are found mid way up the appellation’s very steep slopes.
Terroir: Parcels planted on one of the three principal terroirs of the Appellation (Gravelly-clay)
Grape Variety: Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine: Intense and powerful with black berry fruit aromas; tannic and fresh.
Food/Wine Pairings: Game birds, slow-cooked leg of lamb…
> Click here for the spec sheet
Fine Wine
AOC Madiran
Terroir : Clay-limestone
Grape Variety: Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine: Mellow and supple, the bouquet is all noble leather, cigar-box and undergrowth. A good, long finish.
Food/Wine Pairings: Roast poultry, stews, game birds…
Still to come…
A third Original Terroir
The grapes producing this wine are grown on a terroir that is geologically unique to Madiran, the clay-limestone soils which are found at the foot of the appellation’s steepest slopes.
“ In its early years, Madiran, is a wine with strength and bite and its solid, tannic character allows it to age gracefully without changing temperament. So, in accordance with “loyal and constant” practices, Madiran can only be put on the market after a minimum of one year’s ageing in oak barrels. But for the love of God, hold on to it longer as it will merely grow rounder and more elegant with age without adding a single wrinkle or line.”
Comment made about Madiran wines by a wine merchant from Castelnau-Rivière-Basse, circa 1820.
