Domaine La Dona Tigana

Domaine La Dona Tigana owns around 15 hectares of vineyards in Cassis. Indeed, Cassis is one of France's oldest wine-growing sites, and its white wines in particular are highly reputed. Discover La Dona Tigana, bought by former international footballer Jean Tigana.

FROM SOCCER TO WINE, IT'S JUST ONE STEP FOR JEAN TIGANA

Jean Tigana created Domaine La Dona Tigana in 1998. A long-time wine enthusiast, he initially owned a vineyard in the Bordeaux region since 1987, which he sold a few years later. This former international footballer with an impressive list of achievements stopped his professional career at the age of 36 and became a coach in France and abroad. Despite this, wine remained his ambition when he decided to establish Domaine Tigana in the foothills of Cap Canaille in Cassis.

CASSIS, AN ANCESTRAL TERROIR FOR DONA TIGANA

At Domaine Tigana, the distinctive Cassiden terroir has proved its worth. Most of the soils are brown, clay-limestone. The vines are planted on terraces a few hundred meters above sea level, but are protected from the Mistral by their height. The plots of land are generally west-facing, and wide temperature swings ensure plenty of sunshine in summer, as well as rare frosts. The grape varieties grown at La Dona Tigana are emblematic of the Cassis appellation: Clairette, Ugni Blanc and, of course, Marsanne for the whites. As for the black grape varieties, Grenache predominates, along with Cinsault and a little Mourvèdre. Dona Tigana's vineyards are on average 20 years old.

CASSIS WINES BY DONA TIGANA

Now let's take a look at the two main cuvées on offer from the domaine: La Dona Tigana White and La Dona Tigana Rosé. The former is an expressive, well-balanced blend of Marsanne, Clairette and Ugni-Blanc. Marked by citrus notes, particularly grapefruit. The Dona Tigana Rosé, a blend of Cinsault and Grenache, promises a fresh, slightly mineral and, above all, highly fragrant tasting experience. There's also the Prestige white: a completely different profile, aged in barrels almost exclusively of Marsanne juice. Prestige is a gastronomic white wine, with a nice fatness and floral, vanilla and even peppery notes.