Maison Tardieu-Laurent

Michel Tardieu - when you go to the winery

Michel Tardieu was once a chauffeur for various high-ranking French state officials. During official journeys, he once frequently cruised the Rhône Valley and even then saw the vineyards that stretched along the river. He used the waiting time while his passengers went about their work to visit various wineries. finally, in 1996, he took heart and founded the Tardieu-Laurent winery with his friend Dominique Laurent. Since they did not have very high quality vineyards themselves, the two decided without further ado to purchase the grapes from winemakers with high quality plots. His advantage is that he can choose grapes from the most famous and best regions of the Rhône Valley. Gigondas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rasteau - the names read like a Who's Who of Rhône wine-growing towns.

From the winemaker to the finished wine

The wines of Maison Tardieu-Laurent come either as appellation wines or special cuvées, which are put together according to certain characteristics. Michel and Dominique rely primarily on their senses, preferring an approach based on feel rather than overly theoretical. They rely on their sense of taste, which they sharpen with regular trips to the best winemakers, with tastings in their cellars. Michel Tardieu says about this himself:

"By tasting again and again in the cellars of the best winemakers, we get to know the great wine 'culture', an essential ingredient for understanding wine and 'terroirs'."

Their explorations are always used to make new contacts, as they see themselves less as winemakers than wine merchants and cellar masters. For example, they regularly search for plots with very old vines, which are then used for the Vieilles Vignes cuvée. Such vineyards are usually found right in the heart of the appellations, where viticulture once began in the area. 

The wines of Maison Tardieu-Laurent

The portfolio is very rich with this way of working, so mainly white and red wines are produced, but also a rosé is in the game. In addition to the sub-regions already mentioned, you can also find wines from:

• Bandol
• Lirac
• Vacqueyras
• Crozes Hermitage
• and other regions

The wines are aged to match their character, whether in concrete tanks or in large or small oak barrels. The wood for the barrels comes from Tronçais-Allier oaks. Depending on the wine, special methods are used, for example, in some red wines, the grapes are partially put into fermentation completely with the raps, which gives the wine a slight bitter note.

The wines of Maison Tardieu-Laurent are intended for the friend of Rhône wines. Here you will find a wide selection that represents the valley in all its diversity.