Matthieu Barret is the charismatic winemaker of Domaine du Coulet in Cornas, northern Rhône. He lives close to the Rhône river, together with his family. Whenever we meet Matthieu, he talks with a big grin. In between conversations he jokes wherever he can, just like his son, who is often nearby. In the meantime, Matthieu is also a serious and gifted winemaker, who is studying and working on biodynamic farming.
Philosophy:
In 1998, Matthieu took over the ten-hectare vineyard from his grandfather. He in turn sold a large part of the grapes to large wineries such as Chapoutier and Delas. The winery has grown considerably since then, to over 20 hectares. Matthieu almost immediately opted for a biodynamic approach, in which he follows the ideas of Rudolf Steiner. He takes the research and directions that Rudolf Steiner and Maria Thun promote seriously and implements them. He is constantly looking for ideal, natural rhythms in his vineyards and tries to strengthen this by using natural elements such as valerian, oak bark, dandelion and nettle as preparations. He also uses the 500 and 501 preparations, which are of course first dynamized.
Biodiversity is important. In the vineyards, the tractor is hardly used to keep the soil airy. Existing field and forest edges are left alone, as are water sources and trees.
The vineyard is ploughed with horses and mules, and there is also hoeing. ( "Hoeing during the spring moon and during the autumn moon have a different quality" ) All to stimulate the vines, for example to root deeper. He notices that the plants get an enormous force from the soil, which works through in his wines. Because of this/that's why he only uses small amounts of sulphur to protect the wines during transport.
Matthieu's vineyards are located in the commune of Cornas, about 15 kilometers below Hermitage. In 2018, he expanded considerably by planting another 20 hectares in Cornas (mainly granite) and a part of the Côte du Rhône (calcareous clay).
the wines:
In the cellar, they work minimalistically, under the motto "High wines are made of 'simple' grapes". According to Matthieu, little intervention is needed: "The grapes hold the magic" .
The fresh harvest is put into the tanks by gravity. The dark grape varieties are also 100% destemmed. Only a daily immersion of the 'cap' follows, nothing else happens. It gives just that little bit more extraction, roundness and body to the wine, a pleasant characteristic of Barret wines. Fermentation starts spontaneously, without any aids. Pressing is done slowly and carefully. Maturation has only been done in classic concrete vats and modern eggs since 2017. The wooden barrels are out the door, the wines did not retain their purity as a result. We already talked about sulphite, it is used minimally.
All in all, Domaine du Coulet has become a special winery over the years with a very specific, unique style. It results in wines that are taste-wise at odds with the average Cornas wine. Matthieu's wines are generous without excess, fruity but serious, where origin, terroir so to speak, predominates. A reflection of the maker: goal-oriented but with a generous smile.