The Cellar
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| wine cellar |
The main wine cellar at Miraval was built in the latter part of the 19th century by M. Joseph Lambot, the inventor of reinforced concrete, and subjected to a complete refurbishment in 1993/1994.
The whole vinification process is organised to reduce to a minimum any oxidation of the grapes prior to entering the fermentation tanks or barrels.
Teams of local pickers pick the grapes into small containers to avoid any bruising or crushing. The grapes are then transferred to the cellar entrance and are placed on a 4m long sorting table where any rotten or green grapes and any leaves or other debris are removed by hand.
After destemming and gentle pressing in the pneumatic press the grape juice is fed by gravity feed into the thick walled concrete tanks which have
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| barrel cellar |
been lined with epoxy resin. These tanks retain the sanitation of traditional stainless steel while delivering a more steady temperature.
Barrique (Barrel) CellarIn 1995 the Barrique Cellar was created in the vaulted stone cellars of the original farmhouse (dating from around 1300) to age Miraval wine in small oak barrels. |
