Château Clamens

Négrette is a black grape variety that grows and thrives in the Fronton region of France. This is the grape from which the unique and lovely flavors of most of the Château Clamens wines are derived. 

Local legends weave the tale that the grape's supposed origins are in Cyprus, and it transported to the Fronton region by Knights of Hospitallers of the order of St. John of Jerusalem (Knights Templar). History and research on grape varieties seem to suggest that the grape actually originated along the Tarn River in Southwest France, perhaps derived from vines of the Marvo varietal brought over from Cyprus. 

Regardless of whether Négrette heralded from France or was brought from afar, it is undeniable that it has thrived in the rich soil along the Tarn. 

The vines are finicky and tend to be susceptible to fungal disease, so the wine growers in the region put a great deal of care and effort into maintaining their crops. But the wine yielded from these dark, luscious fruits is worth the trouble. Both reds and rosés blended from the Négrette grape tend to be full-bodied and age moderately well, boasting aromas of black fruits, like blackberries and currants, and red fruits, violets, liquorice, with a peppery finish.