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.

Les sulfites peuvent provoquer des réactions indésirables chez les personnes sensibles, à des degrés variables selon la quantité consommée :

• Symptômes respiratoires : toux, difficultés respiratoires — les asthmatiques sont particulièrement vulnérables (5 à 10 % d'entre eux présentent une intolérance pouvant déclencher une crise sévère)
• Symptômes cutanés : rougeurs, urticaire, démangeaisons
• Symptômes digestifs : maux de ventre, nausées, diarrhées — les sulfites irritent la muqueuse digestive et peuvent déséquilibrer le microbiote intestinal
• Maux de tête et migraines : effet dilatateur sur les vaisseaux sanguins du cerveau
• Effets neurologiques : en 2022, des experts européens ont identifié des preuves d'effets nocifs sur le système nerveux central
• Dans les cas extrêmes : choc anaphylactique (allergie vraie)

C'est pourquoi choisir un vin sans sulfites ajoutés comme la cuvée Élytres est une alternative appréciée des personnes sensibles souhaitant profiter d'un vin rouge bio avec un profil chimique le plus naturel possible.

Éviter les sulfites ajoutés dans le vin répond à trois motivations principales :

1. Pour la santé — Les personnes sensibles (asthmatiques, migraineux, troubles digestifs) voient leurs symptômes diminuer significativement avec les vins sans sulfites. Nous consommons globalement trop de sulfites au quotidien (présents aussi dans les fruits secs, charcuteries et plats transformés) ; choisir un vin sans sulfites ajoutés réduit cette exposition globale.

2. Pour la qualité gustative — Sans conservateur chimique, un vin rouge fruité et épicé comme Élytres exprime mieux son terroir : la personnalité du raisin, du sol de galets roulés et du millésime s'exprime sans filtre ni masquage. Le vin est plus vivant, plus digeste, plus spontané en arômes.

3. Pour l'éthique et l'environnement — Choisir un vin bio pionnier sans sulfites ajoutés, c'est soutenir une viticulture qui minimise les intrants chimiques, préserve la biodiversité et respecte les équilibres naturels. Historiquement, avant l'industrialisation, tous les vins étaient vinifiés sans sulfites ajoutés.