Unlike conventional wines, we do not add sulfur (sulfites) during winemaking or bottling. The Cuvée Élytre sans sulfites thus expresses the absolute purity of the fruit—a fruity and spicy red wine, vibrant and naturally digestible.

It is a lively, more digestible wine that simply requires storage at a constant temperature (ideally between 12°C and 15°C). This absence of sulfur is possible thanks to the impeccable sanitary quality of the grapes from our organic viticulture since 1978, and the rigor of our work in the cellar.

A Vegan red wine means that no animal-derived fining agents (such as gelatin or egg albumin) were used for clarifying the wine. At Château des Coccinelles, we use vegetable proteins or natural decantation to uphold our ethical convictions.

This choice is consistent with our organic commitment since 1978: no animal-derived products at any stage of production, from vine to glass. The Élytres cuvée is thus a fully plant-based Rhône Valley wine, without compromising on quality.

Elytre is a fruity and spicy red wine, luscious and intense. It offers notes of ripe dark fruits (blackberry, blueberry, black cherry) and a peppery, spicy touch typical of Syrah. Its structure is supple due to the absence of sulfur, making it very silky on the palate with melted and elegant tannins.

The blend of 50% Syrah / 50% Grenache from a Côtes du Rhône rolled pebble terroir gives it both aromatic freshness and generosity. Decant 1 hour before serving to reveal its full complexity.

This organic red wine with no added sulfites pairs perfectly with Mediterranean cuisine, grilled vegetables, braised beef, or aged cheese boards. For lovers of plant-based cuisine, it enhances a lentil curry or a mushroom risotto.

Its spicy framework (Syrah) and natural roundness (Grenache) make it an ideal partner for roasted meats as well as rich vegetarian and vegan dishes. Serve at 16–18°C, after decanting for 1 hour.

Yes! Château des Coccinelles is one of the pioneers of organic farming in France. Long before it was fashionable, we chose to ban chemical pesticides to promote biodiversity, symbolized by the ladybugs that naturally protect our vines.

René Fabre joined the Nature & Progrès Association in 1974 and co-authored the first organic specifications approved by the Ministry of Agriculture. This pioneering organic wine embodies more than 45 years of constant commitment to clean, responsible, and expressive viticulture—a unique heritage in the Rhône Valley.

A wine with no added sulfites is a wine to which no synthetic sulfites (sulfur dioxide, SO₂) have been added by the winemaker at any stage: neither in the vineyard, during winemaking, nor during bottling. European regulations impose a maximum threshold of 10 mg/L of SO₂ to legally carry this mention on the label — a level so low that it corresponds only to sulfites naturally produced by yeasts during fermentation.

It is important to note that a wine completely free of sulfites does not exist: the fermentation of grapes inevitably produces very small quantities. The precise term is therefore "no added sulfites", which distinguishes the absence of chemical addition from the inevitable minimal and natural presence. This is precisely the approach of Château des Coccinelles' cuvée Élytres.

When you read "no added sulfites" or "contains less than 10 mg/L of SO₂" on a label, it means the winemaker has refrained from adding any sulfur-based preservatives to their wine, from the vineyard to the bottle. This is a demanding choice that requires perfect mastery of winemaking, as sulfites normally act as antioxidants and antimicrobials, protecting the wine against oxidation and infection.

For the consumer, this statement signals a return to authenticity: a wine that fully expresses its terroir and grape varieties without chemical masking. As an indication, an organic wine contains on average 3 times fewer sulfites than a conventional wine, and a biodynamic wine up to 10 times fewer. This label is often associated with organic wines, such as the Élytre AOC Côtes du Rhône cuvée.

Sulfites can cause adverse reactions in sensitive individuals, varying in severity depending on the quantity consumed:

• Respiratory symptoms: cough, difficulty breathing — asthmatics are particularly vulnerable (5 to 10% of them show intolerance that can trigger a severe attack)
• Skin symptoms: redness, hives, itching
• Digestive symptoms: stomach aches, nausea, diarrhea — sulfites irritate the digestive lining and can unbalance the gut microbiota
• Headaches and migraines: dilating effect on the blood vessels of the brain
• Neurological effects: in 2022, European experts identified evidence of harmful effects on the central nervous system
• In extreme cases: anaphylactic shock (true allergy)

This is why choosing a wine with no added sulfites like the Élytres cuvée is a popular alternative for sensitive people who want to enjoy an organic red wine with the most natural chemical profile possible.

Avoiding added sulfites in wine is driven by three main reasons:

1. For health — Sensitive individuals (those with asthma, migraines, or digestive issues) experience a significant reduction in their symptoms with sulfite-free wines. We generally consume too many sulfites daily (also present in dried fruits, cured meats, and processed foods); choosing a wine without added sulfites reduces this overall exposure.

2. For taste quality — Without chemical preservatives, a fruity and spicy red wine like Élytres better expresses its terroir: the personality of the grape, the rolled pebble soil, and the vintage are expressed without filter or masking. The wine is more vibrant, more digestible, and more spontaneous in its aromas.

3. For ethics and the environment — Choosing a pioneering organic wine without added sulfites means supporting viticulture that minimizes chemical inputs, preserves biodiversity, and respects natural balances. Historically, before industrialization, all wines were vinified without added sulfites.