Le Grand Verre single serve boutique French wine comes to the US

LE GRAND VERRE, the award-winning, single serve, ethical, proprietarily designed, and predominantly female produced boutique wine collection of France, has officially arrived on American shores.

Envisioned by three French wine-loving friends, Nicolas Deffrennes, Founder, Régis Fanget, Brand and Artistic Director, and Valérian Déjours, Chief Operating Officer, the trio dreamt up LGV with one mission: to embody the culture and experience of tasting premium French wines – without the need to open an entire bottle.

Nicolas Deffrennes, Founder

The initial concept, a brainchild of Deffrennes inspired by his days as part of the wine club at Harvard University, quickly grew into an endeavor to feature solely boutique winemakers in lieu of commercial wineries. Those that use organic, ethical, or sustainable farming practices with the majority of them certified by France’s overseeing body Ecocert and Terra Vitis. Deffrennes and his counterparts aimed to make French wines more approachable by providing highly curated selections, thereby taking the onus off consumers to navigate the vast breadth of options available to them. The exclusive LGV collection represents France’s best styles, varieties and terroir from esteemed regions such as Bordeaux, Languedoc, and Provence.

Under a highly meticulous process the LGV trio tasted hundreds of wines from across France, primarily dedicating efforts toward wines crafted by almost entirely female winemakers, female-led, or female-owned estates, as well as those with distinct and long family histories of French winemaking tradition. Vetted by a panel of consumers stateside, the team oversees every step of the process from vine to bottle offering the most authentic, affordable and sustainable wines possible for oenophiles and wine newbies alike.

Regis Fanget, Brand and Artistic Director

“We care about what goes into our wine and believe that you don’t ever have to compromise when it comes to offering the authentic experience of French wine and culture to consumers,” notes Deffrennes, Founder of LGV. “While touring vineyards we were struck by each winemaker’s powerful story; they were so devoted to their vines and removing all use of pesticides, additive and other chemicals, that we in turn became their advocates, dedicating LGV to their unique backgrounds with every sip. The importance of family, legacy, powerful female-led wineries, and a tradition of ethical farming techniques, rapidly became intrinsic to who we are and what makes us passionate about what we do. It’s single-serve packaging, but with a twist: very good wine with a very rich and versatile French history to be discovered inside.”

Funded by the Burgundy region the award-winning LGV bottles are proprietarily designed and packaged in a modern way to be enjoyed anywhere, anytime – without breaking the bank. Purchased in sets of 4 ranging from $20-$30, the 6.3 oz. design of each bottle is larger than your typical pour at 6 oz., as the name Le Grand Verre suggests. The wines are also made from recyclable materials and double-coated to preserve aromas.

“From the beginning we knew we needed to maintain the high standards set forth by the incredible winemakers who joined us in our mission. Developing an elevated and vastly unique single serve bottle to showcase their incredible wines was a challenging, exciting project,” explained Régis Fanget, Brand and Artistic Director of LGV. “The final product is a tall sleek bottle and an elegant departure from the canned wine masses we’ve seen over the past few years. Partnering on this endeavor with one of my oldest and dearest friends Nick has been a pleasure, to say the least. We’re thrilled to share our French wines with American palates.”

Valérian Déjours, Chief Operating Officer

Powerhouse female producers include Elisabeth Prataviera of Domaine de Ménard & Haut-Marin the creator of Le Grand Verre Domaine Prataviera, a Sauvignon Blanc from Côtes de Gascogne known for stellar white wines. Prataviera took over the vineyards from her mother who has helmed the estate since 1960, both following in her family legacy while allowing for innovation such as the of use organic fertilizer to preserve soil. Similarly, Inès Andrieu of Domaine de Caylus produces Le Grand Verre Domaine Caylus, a rosé blend of Syrah and Grenache from the Languedoc-Roussillon winemaking region. Andrieu inherited the vineyard from her grandfather and quickly became a champion for the importance of preserving the region’s biodiversity, converting the estate to organic farming in 1999. Le Grand Verre Domaine Nadal Hainaut of Domaine Nadal Hainaut is an organic Chardonnay from the hands of husband-and wife team Martine and Jean-Marie Nadal. The château has belonged to the family since 1900 and was fully converted to organic growing in 2010 making it a home to many new insects and birds. The Nadal’s plan to leave the estate with their three daughters Julie, Pauline, Marie and Luce. Laurence Dupuch of Château Peyredon Lagravette works in tandem with her husband Stephane to produce Le Grand Verre Château Peyredon, one of the prized wines of the LGV collection. This quintessential Haut-Medoc Crus Bourgeois blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with fruit picked
from vines over 100 years old is crafted with world famous oenologist Hubert de Bouard, the winemaker and owner of Château Angelus, one of the four most prestigious Saint-Émilion estates. Another cult classic is Le Grand Verre Château Val D’Arenc, an organically certified Bandol rosé blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault produced by the young and innovative male winemaker, Gérald Damidot, in Provence. Under Damidot’s leadership the estate converted to organic farming practices in 2015 significantly enhancing the quality of the wine. This is one of the very few rosés to consistently rate above 90 points by critics.

“We began working with Le Grand Verre only a year ago and already feel like part of the family,” said Inès Andrieu, creator of Le Grand Verre Domaine Caylus. “We’ve worked very closely with the team; Régis Fanget was invited to visit the estate during the last harvest season. We were proud to craft our organic rosé for LGV and are currently expanding the partnership with Chardonnay, also made with organic grapes.”

Officially partnering with Baron Francois, a premier wine distributor based in New York City, LGV wines are already making waves across the East Coast including NYC, Washington, D.C., and select airports such as Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia, where assorted LGV wines are available in premium dining locations and retail outlets.

“Le Grand Verre has been one of the most successful launches of Baron Francois to date,” said Alexandre Thevenet, Director of Sales of Baron Francois. “The wines are moving much faster than anticipated for a new brand in such a unique format. With plans to expand nationwide upcoming, LGV is in a great position to become the go-to single serve wine of choice for American wine lovers across the country.”
As Deffrennes and Fanget continue to tour the vineyards, new wines will be offered and available to the US throughout the year.

“What do they all have in common? Delicious French wine from the meticulous work of emerging and female vintners, crafted under organic or sustainable farming, tested and vetted with both friends and consumers across the Atlantic!” adds Deffrennes.

• Le Grand Verre Domaine Caylus Rosé 2020 ($25 / 4 Pack) — Discover a new rosé: Pays d’Herault. Tucked into the southern coast of France in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, the terroir offers incredible value and complexity in its rosé wines. That’s why LGV partnered with Inès Andrieu of Domaine de Caylus, an organic estate known for its rose blend of Syrah (60%) and Grenache (40%). Andrieu is quite the female winemaker — she took control of the property from her grandfather, Henri Andrieu who helmed the estate since purchasing it in 1963. Andrieu quickly saw the importance of preserving biodiversity and converted the estate to organic farming back in 1999. Her refreshing rosé is full of strawberry, pineapple and tropical notes.12.5% ABV.

• Le Grand Verre Château Val D’Arenc Rosé 2020 ($30 / 4 Pack) — There’s rosé, then there’s Bandol rosé. Consistently ranked 90 points by critics worldwide this organic-certified Provencal blend of Mourvèdre (80%), Grenache (10%), and Cinsault (10%) offers a beautiful pale blush color and notes of grapefruit, peach, and raspberry. Long considered the best appellation in Provence, Bandol is spicier, structured, and more flavorful than your typical rosé thanks to Mourvédre. It’s often more expensive with top bottles putting you back $50+. The wine was produced by young, innovative winemaker Gérald Damidot, and under his leadership the estate converted to organic farming practices in 2015 significantly enhancing the quality of the wine. 13.5% ABV.

• Le Grand Verre Domaine Nadal Hainaut Red 2019 ($24.99 / 4 Pack) – A gorgeous wine to kick off cooler weather this fall! An elegant Cabernet Sauvignon made with organic grapes and certified Organic by Ecocet. The wine offers rich black fruits and a hint of licorice from the Domaine Nadal Hainaut estate. The Château was built in 1826 and has belonged to the Nadal family since 1900. Martine and Jean-Marie are currently handing over the winemaking to their 3 daughters. As part of this long-term commitment, the estate has been fully converted to organic growing in 2010 and is now home to many insects and birds. 13.5% ABV.

• Le Grand Verre Château Peyredon Red 2019 ($30 / 4 Pack) — For the diehard red wine lovers consider one of the quintessential selections of LGV: the Haut-Médoc Crus Bourgeois. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (63%) and Merlot (37%) this classic Bordeaux is velvety with elegant tannins on the palate. On the nose you will find rich blackberry and notes of strawberry and vanilla. Laurence Dupuch of Château Peyredon Lagravette works in tandem with her husband Stephane Dupuch to produce this wine with fruit picked from vines over 100 years old. Envisioned by world-famous oenologist Hubert de Bouard (winemaker and owner of Château Angelus, one of the four most prestigious Saint-Émilion estates). This wine will surely impress the discerning oenophile crowd. Certified Sustainable Farming by Terra Vitis. 13% ABV.