Montmartre Wine: Organic and Sulfur-Free

Clos Montmartre: History and Unique Characteristics

The Vintage and Tasting

Since 1933, the Clos Montmartre, planted with some 1,700 vines, has been one of the last remnants of Paris and the Île-de-France region’s winemaking heritage. This year, the 2016 vintage will be available for tasting and purchase during the grape harvest festival.

Created in the early 1930s in response to the urbanization of the hill, it remains a symbol of life in the small village of Montmartre. It is on this small, north-facing slope that the Paris City Hall’s team of gardeners—now led by Vincent (a fitting name) under the guidance of oenologist Sylviane—strives to keep the area’s winemaking tradition alive.

Organic winemaking without sulfites

And it’s fair to say that this is a real challenge… A rainy climate, a north-facing slope, old and weary vines that aren’t well-suited to the poor, sandy soil… You have to keep the faith to produce good grapes. Especially since today, even though the vineyard isn’t certified, it’s cultivated according to the principles of organic farming, avoiding synthetic herbicides and pesticides.

Yet, with each vintage, efforts are being made to gradually improve the quality of Montmartre wine. Replacing old vines with varieties that are more tolerant of the climate and diseases, better sorting of the grapes, using modern winemaking methods to protect the wine from oxidation during fermentation, eliminating the use of sulfites, and more. Little by little, the wine is becoming more and more drinkable.

1,600 bottles of red and rosé wine will be available from the 2016 vintage, which was a very favorable year. Unfortunately, the July drought reduced this year’s yield, and only half as many bottles will be produced from the 2017 harvest.

I have to admit that, personally, I wasn’t a fan of the 2013 rosé… But given the progress made since then, I’m curious to try a glass of the new vintage. Plus, the proceeds from the sale go to charity—it’s worth a try, isn’t it?

Calling all residents of the Île-de-France region: Head to the Comité des Fêtes et d’Actions Sociales on Place Jean Marais from October 13 to 15 for the tasting!