Dominique's Story
"So what do I love about my job as a wine maker? Well, I don't have to buy my own wine for a start! In all seriousness though, it is something I'm truly passionate about. And I love working with my brother Baptiste – who is an engine of energy, ideas, positivism and reassurance."
My brother and I Baptiste are the third generation of family working at Domaine de Cristia. The vineyard was bought 70 years ago by my great-grandfather Etienne Grangeon, and we started working here back in 1999. We took over from my father Florent. The soils were in excellent condition thanks to Dad's biodynamic conception of agriculture, but changing old mentalities was a bit of a challenge!
We had a few problems with the first vintages we produced (bad corks being one problem), but come 2003, we started making some absolutely wonderful wine, with The Wine Advocate calling us the 'New superstars from Châteauneuf-du-Pape.' And wine drinkers backing this up!
So what do I love about my job as a wine maker? Well, I don't have to buy my own wine for a start!
In all seriousness though, it is something I'm truly passionate about. And I love working with my brother Baptiste - who is an engine of energy, ideas, positivism and reassurance.
A few Naked facts about Baptiste -
- Baptiste did go off to Uni in 1996, but after only a few days into his course, he returned to the family vineyard to pursue his real passion – making wine
- Despite being proud of his country's wines, Baptiste's favourite wines are from Italy. He admires Italy's ability to adapt to competition, whereas he think France often relies on the assumption that 'France is the country of wine'
- His favourite wine? An Italian wine of course, Sagrantino di Montefalco d’Arnaldo Caprai
- When not at work, he's a keen golfer – and enjoys sitting down to a James Bond movie!
- Other than his own fine wines, he enjoys relaxing with either a glass of Chimay or a pint of Guinness (good taste Baptiste!)
Dominique in a nutshell
"If I wasn't working in the wine Industry, I can imagine myself...as a professor of history - or as an intrepid explorer a la Indiana Jones"
"If I could have any meal in the world to accompany my favourite wine, I'd request...foie gras poêlé with dry ham from Parma and mushrooms fried with garlic and Persil. The perfect partnership with my favourite wine - Cuvée Cabrida 1998 from Capçanes."
"If I could invite any person (dead or alive / famous or unknown) to a wine tasting at my winery, I would invite... Louis the XIVth, the king of love and life, food, wine, women and conquest!"
"If I could hop on a plane tomorrow, to any other wine region in the world, I would head to Tuscany, and not just for wine."
"If I had to offer one piece of advise on what makes a good winemaker, my pearl of wisdom would be...do not spoil yourself with scholarship theories, just let your instinct talk."
Spittoon talks about Domaine Cristia
Domaine Cristia from Naked Wines. All three demonstrated a similarity of style - a house style if you will - forward fruit, crowd-pleasing drinkability and a ripe, up-front fruitiness
Spitton Talks to Winemaker Dominique Grangeon
Over the years a few "thank you's" have been penned by retailers on Spittoon but none, as I recall, from wine makers or wine estates. Any 'chat' between the final consumer and the wine maker is even more remote; but step forward Naked Wines.
Hi everybody, just to say that the Côtes-du -Ventoux you tasted with me in Norwich will be available by the end of the week! As I said to those I met at the tasting, if you want to treat yourself for Xmas, I recommend my 2006 Châteauneuf, which will be available also by the end of the week.
I'm flying to the US tomorrow, but will be in touch with you through my laptop.
by Dominique 23/11/2009 15:05
Reply