Ex Arena is a red wine produced by Domaine de Cébène, located 20 km outside the Faugères AOP in the Languedoc region of France. The name "Ex Arena" means "out of the sand" in Latin, referring to the unique Villafranchian soil where the grapes are grown.
Vineyard and Terroir
Soil: 30-metre-deep bed of sea sediment and alluvial deposits of stone, pebbles, red sand and gravel
Vines: 40-year-old Grenache (85%) and Mourvèdre (15%)
Yields: Very low
Winemaking Process
Harvest: Early, hand-picked in small crates
Vinification: Gravity-fed into a custom-built cellar in Faugères
Fermentation: Indigenous yeast, no added sulfites
Maceration: 3-4 weeks with gentle extraction
Aging: Few months, no oak
Wine Characteristics
Alcohol: Approximately 13.5%
Color: Raspberry red, relatively pale
Aroma: Red fruits, sweet spices, complex Mourvèdre notes
Palate: Ultra-fine touch, long and elegant finish
Aging potential: Can be drunk now or aged up to 8 years
Food Pairings
Ex Arena pairs well with: Mediterranean dishes Lamb stew Chicken tajin Surprisingly, even strawberries or chocolate cake