Wine aged 15 meters underwater in Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Get your masks and snorkels ready, we're off to meet Emmanuel Poirmeur, the (underwater) winemaker of Domaine EgiaTegia ! In Saint Jean de Luz, discover what lies hidden at the bottom of the bay…

Emmanuel Poirmeur's wild dream: Vineyards in the Basque Country

After a world tour of vineyards (Italy, Central and South America…), Emmanuel took the crazy gamble in 2007 of planting his vines on the Urrugne cliff, not far from Hendaye.

In 2009 the project became a reality. Emmanuel broke the mold, challenged traditions. In the Basque Country , he took the gamble of cultivating vines to protect the coastal environment and even… use the sea differently.

Emmanuel Poirmeur invents underwater winemaking

To obtain a lightly sparkling wine with its unique lemony aroma, Emmanuel didn't hesitate to submerge his vats 15 meters underwater for several months in the calmest spot in the bay. His motivation? Underwater fermentation takes place under optimal conditions: stable temperatures (between 11 and 13 degrees Celsius), pressure, and agitation—a unique, patented process!

Portrait of Emmanuel Poirmeur, the atypical winemaker of Domaine EgiaTegia

If you had to embody a wine? A Côte-Rôtie for the marriage of red and white grape varieties, or a Cabardès for the blend of Bordeaux and Languedoc grape varieties. In short, a red wine that is both robust and delicate, which few would dare to attempt if they didn't already exist.

If you had to define your temperament in one or two words? Skeptical and absurd, in a word, pataphysical

Any anecdotes you'd like to share? A spontaneous 100-meter run on… barrels with one of my mentors in a legendary wine cellar!

A meeting that left a lasting impression on you? Thermodynamics…

What do you find unbearable about the world of wine? All the certainties, especially those propagated with and despite major scientific flaws. Those who use disparagement of others' work as a selling point to sell their wines.

Find EgiaTegia on Les Grappes

Loïc Tanguy (Les Grappes)

Pourquoi nous faire confiance ?

Depuis 2014, chez Les Grappes, nous partons à la rencontre de vignerons passionnés partout en France pour dénicher des vins authentiques, vivants et pleins d'histoire. En travaillant directement avec plus de 500 vignerons, nous sélectionnons des cuvées que nous aimons vraiment et que nous avons envie de vous faire découvrir.

Ce blog est le prolongement de cette aventure. On y partage nos découvertes, nos conseils, nos coups de cœur, nos meilleurs accords mets-vins, des idées de dégustation et tout ce qui nous anime au quotidien autour du vin.

L'objectif est simple : vous aider à choisir des bouteilles qui vous ressemblent et à prendre encore plus de plaisir à les déguster.