Sous la Végétal (Bouju & Ligas), "Livia" 2018

This is a long, full-bodied white from Sous le Végétal, a collaborative project from two greats: Jason Ligas and Patrick Bouju. Winemaking goes down on the Greek Island of Samos, in the Aegean Sea.

Tasting Notes:  Minerality belies this big wine that is as complex as it is delicious -- zippy acid but with a broad mouthfeel, savory (see: salt) yet given to citric beauty in the palate. Supremely unique wine.

Vinification: 100% Muscat Blanc á Petits Grains hand-harvested from vines grown in schist soil. The grapes are directly-pressed, spontaneous fermentation is kickstarted in barrels and stainless steel with only the help of indigenous yeasts. Unfined, unfiltered and with no additional SO2 at bottling. Aged in bottle.

Producer Spotlight

The idea behind Sous le Végetal is to give authentic expression to the fantastic small-scale terrace vineyards that climb the slopes of Mount Karvounis. Extensive work has been done to repair and maintain the lands, walls and terraces, in an agriculture approaching permaculture. The grape variety is consistently the 'Muscat blanc à petits grains' for which the island of Samos is famous, but which has been vinified here without additives. In short: an Aegean rock Muscat bursting with minerality!