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Domain: Patrick Bouju La Bohème

Pioneer in Auvergne’s wine resurgence and a domain with the wind in its sails of late, Patrick Bouju and his La Bohème are undeniably two of the region’s most renowned names. Impeccable vine growing and natural vinification mean that these wines are not only fruity and flavourful, but also deep and complex in character.

We find Domaine Patrick Bouju in Auvergne, near the Puy de Dôme. Here are cultivated mature vines across the communes of Corent, Lempdes, le Puy d’Anzelles, Billom, and Egliseneuve-près-Billom, with the oldest plants dating back almost 120 years. The vintner who gave his name to the domain boasts of quite a variety of grapes, including various kinds of Gamay, including Bouze and Fréau, as well as Limberger and Mirefleurien. Bouju sees this as a richness that counteracts a certain homogeneity in the world of wine. Grass is allowed to grow in the vineyards, natural treatments are used (copper, fermented plant extracts, tisane), and the work is carried out entirely by hand. In the cellar, the same philosophy is applied. Grapes are vinified parcel by parcel using only native yeasts; this helps to preserve the identity of the original terroir. This hands-off approach leads to the creation of natural and flavourful cuvées.