The name of this wine, Nichtivo, is both a tribute to Myrko Tepus’s Russian grandfather and a reference to Carignan, the only variety in this cuvée. In fact, “nichtivo” means “nothing” in Russian but it often implies overcoming being negative and becoming positive which symbolises Carignan well. The variety largely planted in the South of France has long been critiqued but when grown and vinified with care, it can produce great quality wines.
Carignan is shown in all its glory in this beautiful wine. The roughly sixty-year-old vines grow at more than 400 metres above sea level and grown without chemicals. Harvested by hand, entire bunches are vinified in wooden and concrete vats. Natural yeasts ferment the juice which then matures in wooden vats and demi-muids (600-litre barrels) for eight to eighteen months to demonstrate their full potential. Due to this, Nichitvo charms anyone who tries it from the first sip with notes of red fruits and beautiful flavours on the round, supple palate.