In Ventis – Le Vif du Sujet – 100% Prunelart

Le Vif du Sujet – 100% Prunelart, a Historic Grape of Gaillac

Le Vif du Sujet is one of the most distinctive wines produced by Domaine In Ventis, an independent organic family winery based in Rabastens, in the historic Gaillac wine region of Southwest France.

Made from 100% Prunelart, this red wine offers the opportunity to discover a very old local grape variety whose history is closely connected to the Gaillac vineyards.

With low yields, a 20-day maceration and an expressive combination of floral, violet and plum notes, Le Vif du Sujet is both powerful and harmonious — a wine with personality, but also a remarkable story behind the grape itself.

Wine Stats

• Producer: Domaine In Ventis
• Region: Rabastens, Gaillac, Southwest France
• Farming: Organic agriculture
• Grape Variety: 100% Prunelart
• Yield: Approximately 25 hl/ha
• Maceration: Approximately 20 days
• Alcohol: 13%
• Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
• Vines: Planted in 2018
• Cellaring Potential: Approximately 5–6 years

Tasting Notes

Le Vif du Sujet opens with an expressive floral nose.

On the palate, it is harmonious and powerful, combining structure with an elegant aromatic profile. The finish develops distinctive notes of violet and plum, giving the wine a character that is quite different from more familiar international grape varieties.

The relatively low vineyard yield of around 25 hl/ha also contributes to the concentrated personality of this cuvée.

Prunelart – A Historic Grape of the Gaillacois

One of the most interesting things about Le Vif du Sujet is not only how it tastes, but the grape from which it is made.

Prunelart — also known officially as Prunelard — is a very old grape variety originating in the Gaillac area.

Its exact origins remain partly mysterious, but historical references to the variety go back several centuries. It was once part of the traditional vineyard landscape of the region before becoming increasingly rare.

Like many European grape varieties, Prunelard suffered enormously during the phylloxera crisis. Because it can also be relatively low-yielding and difficult to cultivate, it was not widely replanted and came close to disappearing from the vineyards.

From the late 20th century onward, conservation and replanting efforts helped bring the variety back into the Gaillac vineyard.

Today, Prunelard once again forms part of Gaillac’s recognised red grape varieties, making wines such as Le Vif du Sujet a link between the region’s viticultural history and its present-day revival.

Why Local Grape Varieties Matter

When people first discover French wine, they often encounter internationally familiar grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Chardonnay.

But part of the richness of French wine comes from grape varieties that remain strongly connected to particular regions.

Prunelart is a good example.

It tells a very different story from an internationally planted grape variety: a grape closely associated with one region, nearly lost, then gradually brought back into cultivation by local winegrowers.

This is also one of the reasons we selected Le Vif du Sujet for Yueh’s Choice. The bottle does not simply offer a different flavour profile — it provides an opportunity to discover a piece of Gaillac’s wine heritage in Taiwan.

Food Pairing

The combination of power, floral character and fruit makes Le Vif du Sujet particularly interesting with dishes that combine savoury and slightly sweet flavours.

• Duck à l’orange
• Duck breast with fruit-based sauces
• Roasted or gratinated butternut squash
• Lamb with fruit or warm spices
• Strong and mature cheeses

Its violet and plum notes make it particularly well-suited to dishes where fruit, spice, and richer meat flavours meet on the same plate.

Discover a Different Side of Gaillac

Le Vif du Sujet illustrates what makes the Gaillac region particularly interesting: alongside more familiar varieties, its vineyards continue to preserve and revive distinctive local grapes.

Within Domaine In Ventis, wines such as Braucol and Le Vif du Sujet allow us to explore different pieces of this regional identity through the grape varieties themselves.

Discover more from the estate in our Domaine In Ventis selection, or explore our complete range of French wines in Taiwan.

Shipping and Delivery

We currently deliver only within Taiwan. For questions about stock, collection or delivery, please contact us.

Wine Region

Rabastens – Gaillac, Southwest France

Domaine In Ventis is located in Rabastens, within the historic Gaillac winegrowing area of Southwest France.

The estate’s vineyards are situated on hillsides between approximately 200 and 300 metres above sea level. The soil consists of an upper layer of around 40 to 50 centimetres of clay over limestone, while the almost constant local wind helps keep the vines dry.

Gaillac is particularly notable for preserving traditional local grape varieties such as Braucol, Duras and Prunelard, which form an important part of the identity of the region.

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Come and discover our French products in person, or check where they are currently available.

Looking specifically for Le Vif du Sujet? We recommend contacting us before your visit so we can confirm whether it is currently available at the partner location.

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