Dom Galtier 'Orpheon' Rouge 19

Ok, so Murviel-lès-Béziers may not be a familiar name to many wine lovers; however, Hammond and I absolutely adore the wines from here, especially those of Domaine Galtier, one of the top producers in this tiny, historic village. One of the true joys of my job is finding these unique, authentic, terroir-driven wines from family-owned vignerons and bringing them to my customers in Western North Carolina.

Murviel-lès-Béziers is a small village in the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region of southern France, now known as Occitania. The village is just north of Béziers and is mainly known for its ancient architecture and winemaking heritage. Murviel-lès-Béziers boasts a long history of winemaking and is the location of some of the first vineyard plantings in the south of France.

Domaine Galtier is located in the heart of the Languedoc appellation, an area that is one of the largest wine-producing areas in the world. The region is known for its diverse range of wines, including red, white, and rosé varieties. The Domaine is known for producing red wines from Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre blends, and from medium-bodied to blockbuster, they offer a Cuvée that fits almost every palate.

Domaine Galtier Orpheon is a fantastic translation of the Occitania countryside. It's a gently rustic, medium-bodied red that deftly combines old-vine Grenache, Carrigan, Syrah, and a few other local indigenous varietals to create a peppery, earthy wine that delivers way above its price point. Gorgeous notes of baked plum and cherry compote provide the warm, comforting foundation balanced by herbal notes of thyme and lavender.

Pro-Tip:
Orpheon is the entry-level red and the third wine I source from Domaine Gatier. Scroll down to the article featuring their L'Espirit des Souche to learn more about this wonderful Domaine.