Alain Brumont revived the Madiran appellation

He has spent the last thirty years working passionately to restore the prestige of the Madiran appellation . Ambitious and dedicated, Alain Brumont, winemaker at Châteaux Montus & Bouscassé, knows that his hard work and patience are the keys to his success. He candidly recounts his journey, from his early years working in his father's vineyards to the worldwide renown he enjoys today!

The Brumonts: a winegrowers' family

I come from a family of winemakers. My great-grandfather supplied medicinal wines until the introduction of appellations contrôlées around the 1930s. I became interested in agriculture and viticulture at a very young age. My passion for wine developed quickly, and I have never stopped learning about it.

The wine that resembles Alain Brumont: his 100% Tannat

The wine that most reflects me? My 100% Tannat , 100% local, 100% Gascon. This grape variety is complete, generous, sincere, without any additives or artifice. It holds its own against the icons! My 1985 100% Tannat has traveled the world. Of the 50,000 bottles, I only have 12 or 13 left today, and I treasure them!

Alain's sources of inspiration

There are three men I've never been able to leave. The first is Baron de Rothschild, someone who impressed me greatly. In just a few words, you could learn ten years' worth of knowledge. The second is Marcel Guigal, always precise, always finding the right words. And the third is Jean-Michel Cazes. I was visiting his estate one day, and he said to me, "I'll give you a case of Lynch-Bages, and you give me a case of your wine." That was 30 years ago, a gesture few people were capable of.

Alain Brumont revived the Madiran appellation

There have been three distinct periods in the history of the Madiran appellation. Before 1930, there was the era of Bordeaux 's medicinal wines. From 1950 to 1980, astringent, bitter, overly tannic, and unoaked Madirans were marketed. Upon my arrival in 1980, I revived the traditional Madiran style , selecting the best terroirs and planting the appropriate grape varieties. It's a constant process of work and research!

Alain Brumont, an ambitious winemaker

My father passed on to me his values: hard work, perseverance, honesty, and transparency in his work as a winemaker. He was among the top three winemakers in Madiran but didn't have the ambition to regain the leading position that Château Bouscassé held a century ago. I acquired this taste for challenge through encounters with extraordinary people: artists, musicians, researchers, etc. (but from 16 to 30, I was on a tractor every day!).

Changes at Château Bouscassé & Acquisition of Château Montus

I started from scratch at Château Bouscassé, aiming to create the greatest wine of Southwest France , an "iconic" wine. I wanted sophisticated winemaking techniques and aging in 100% new oak barrels, like the world's finest wines. I had the taste and the desire to strive for excellence.

Regarding the purchase of Château Montus in the 1980s, documents in the departmental archives attest that Napoleon I was already buying his wine from this Château. The building was in ruins. It was a childhood dream, and then I also sensed the potential of the place… I have often been told that I have this ability to sense great terroirs (sometimes even in other regions or 8,000 km from my homeland)!

Châteaux Montus & Bouscassé sur Les Grappes

I chose Les Grappes because I love new concepts, they interest me! Innovation is my life! Les Grappes is also a philosophy, a different perspective on the wine trade!

Find Alain Brumont's wines at Les Grappes

Loïc Tanguy (Les Grappes)