The poem 'The Darkling Thrush' by British poet Thomas Hardy, published in 1900, features such a passage. In this poem, the thrush symbolizes hope, recovery, and new beginnings, even in a landscape of despair. The thrush has frequently appeared in European art from the Romantic era of the 19th century to the early 20th century as a symbol of 'the harbinger of the seasons', 'the cycle of nature', and 'returning life'.
There is a wine named after such a thrush. 'Premières Grives' from the winery Domaine Tariquet in Gascony, southwestern France, located between the Atlantic and the Pyrenees Mountains. It means 'first thrushes' in French. The thrush inhabits throughout Europe and appears first in the vineyards of this region during the late autumn harvest season. When the grapes are fully ripe and the sweetness rises, flocks of thrushes arrive, signaling the harvest time.
The history of Domaine Tariquet dates back to 1683. It has been producing Armagnac, a traditional French brandy. Since 1912, it has been operated by the Grassa family, who decided to reduce Armagnac production due to the decline of the market pressured by Cognac. Starting in the late 1980s, they began developing white wine in earnest. They first challenged white wine using the Ugni blanc and Colombard varieties that were previously used for Armagnac. Today, it has established itself as a representative regional winery with a diverse portfolio including 9 types of dry white wine, 2 types of sweet white, 1 type of sparkling white wine, and 2 types of rosé.
The vineyard, which was 50 hectares in the 1980s, has now grown to 1,125 hectares. It is the largest family-run winery in France. The soil, a mix of clay, limestone, and sandy loam, gives the grapes rich and complex flavors. This region is characterized by a mild maritime climate. Winters are not harsh, and summer heat is cooled by winds from the Atlantic. Hot winds from the south are blocked by the Pyrenees Mountains. Domaine Tariquet's annual sales in France amount to 5 million bottles, with exports exceeding 4 million bottles to 50 countries.
Premières Grives was first launched in the early 1990s. It is made from 100% Gros Manseng. This variety has a thick skin, making it resistant to diseases. The later the grapes are harvested, the more sugar they accumulate; however, Gros Manseng maintains its acidity even when harvested late, achieving a balance of sweetness and tartness. Therefore, Premières Grives possesses a unique appeal that is rich yet not heavy, sweet but with a refreshing finish.
The grapes minimize contact with the surrounding air to maintain aroma and freshness. They are gathered into harvest boxes and immediately covered with dry ice. The harvested grapes are transported in sealed tanks to prevent oxidation and undergo a maceration process in a temperature-controlled press for 8 to 12 hours. After a slow and cold fermentation, they are stored refrigerated at minus 2 degrees Celsius and bottled according to orders.
Premières Grives has a yellow hue with a faint golden gleam. Impressive notes of exotic fruits like pineapple and mango, along with citrus scents, are present. On the palate, there is a sensation of fruit as if candied, leading into a finish with the freshness of freshly picked grapes. Rich fruity aromas and smooth, fresh flavors harmonize well. It is also excellent as an aperitif.
It pairs well with fresh fruit salads, soft or pan-seared foie gras, chicken cooked on skewers or in cream sauce, shrimp cooked in coconut milk, slightly spicy curries, and hard cheeses or blue cheese. It also complements a variety of desserts, such as strawberry and chocolate macarons, crème brûlée, and vanilla millefeuille. It received the top award in the institutional sector of White Wine at the Korea Wine & Spirits Awards 2025. The domestic importer is KOOKSOONDANG BREWERY.