Torredemer Mangin is a new and intriguing wine producer located in the Roussillon region of France. Formed by Romain Torredemer and Thomas Mangin, who are both grandsons of winegrowers, this domain encompasses 40 hectares of organically cultivated vineyards in Vingrau. I had the opportunity to dine with Thomas, where he shared their compelling story and presented his wines.
Both Thomas and Romain hail from families with roots in southern Catalonia, which led them to the Roussillon in the 1930s. Thomas’s family history includes a father who worked in electrical cable manufacturing. After studying in Lancaster, UK, Thomas entered the supply chain industry in Switzerland but frequently vacationed in the Roussillon. There, he connected with Romain, who was already immersed in the viticulture and winemaking fields. Thomas expressed his intention to reclaim their family’s rented vineyards, even though he lacked deep knowledge of viticulture at the time.
In 2019, the two seized the opportunity to revive the vineyards, and by 2021, they produced their first 1,000 bottles in Romain’s garage while still engaged with a cooperative. However, in 2022, they had to decide whether to commit fully to their venture. They opted out of the cooperative, which left them with a sudden expansion to 40 hectares of vineyards but only a modest production history.
The duo quickly found a cellar and produced 40,000 bottles. Unfortunately, 15 hectares were in poor condition, affecting their yields. They also sold some grapes and produced bulk wine, a decision they later regretted due to unfavorable market prices. On the bright side, they managed to sell all their bottled wine.
The second year saw them increase production to 60,000 bottles, but the third vintage yielded only 50,000 due to low yields (10 hl/hectare). Now, they have ceased selling grapes, despite the offers being reasonably priced in Vingrau, where organic grapes could fetch up to €1,500 per tonne.
Their confidence in the project stems from their belief in Vingrau’s exceptional terroir. Thomas remarked on the unique geological diversity: “We were convinced that we had an amazing terroir. The beauty of the Roussillon is that we have this matrix of soils.”
The vineyards extend across elevations from 150 m to 600 m. The Jurassic limestone influences the terroir, with varying soil types from colluvial at higher elevations to marly at the base.
Featured Wines:
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Papillon Blanc 2024 Côtes Catalanes: A blend of Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, and Macabeu (planted in 1907). This wine exhibits a fine, taut structure with minerality and citrus notes. Rated 94/100.
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Sinopia 2024 Côtes Catalanes: This wine is a Grenache varietal, showing fresh, juicy cherry and raspberry flavors with vibrant acidity. Rated 93/100.
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Orage 2024 Vin de France: Composed of Muscat d’Alexandria and Muscat a Petit Grains, this unique wine reflects saltiness, citrus hints, and a precise structure. Rated 94/100.
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Papillon Rouge 2024 Côtes Catalanes: A blend of Grenache and Carignan, it features lovely fruit purity with freshness and floral notes. Rated 94/100.
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Tarda 2022 Côtes Catalanes: Late-harvest Muscat a Petit Grains, known for its rich, spicy character balanced by a fine sweetness. Rated 94/100.
For more information, visit Torredemer Mangin’s website.