11 h 53 Rouge – Domaine des Grottes (Romain des Grottes)

Region: Beaujolais, Saint-Étienne-des-Oullières, France
Grape: 100% Gamay from biodynamically farmed sites on granite soils
Vintage: 2023
Alcohol: ~11%
Bottle Size: 75 cl
Farming & Certification:

• Organic (ECOCERT AB) and previously Demeter/biodynamic (2006–2022); still operating under Nature & Progrès

• Vineyard biodiverse: permanent grass cover, herbal teas, very low copper (<1 kg/ha), minimal yields (~15 hl/ha)

🌱 Vinification & Philosophy

• Hand-harvested fruit; native-yeast fermentation

• Short whole-cluster maceration (up to ~15 days), natural pied-de-cuve starter 

• No additives, no filtration, no fining, no sulphites added (< 15 mg/L total SO₂) 

• A natural Gamay that’s playful, lightly textured, and full of vivacity

🍒 Tasting Notes

• Bright, red-fruited charm: think juicy raspberry, fresh cherry, and a hint of floral spice

• Light-bodied with crisp acidity and a subtle granite-driven minerality

• Slight natural pétillance seals its lively nature—a wine for any occasion, from aperitif to dessert

🍽️ Pairing Suggestions

Serve chilled (12–14 °C). A versatile companion for charcuterie boards, grilled veggies, light meats, or inventive natural dishes. Also ideal for outdoor gatherings with friends.

🌟 Why We Recommend It

Romain des Grottes has crafted a wine outside the conventional mold—vibrant, natural, and deeply rooted in small-scale, biodiverse farming. 11 h 53 epitomizes his ethos: transparency, minimalism, and pure enjoyment. It’s a joyful, everyday natural wine from Beaujolais that captures both terroir and personality