Esquisse

Esquisse launched in 2021, representing a long-standing project at the domaine to bring serious, terroir-rooted winemaking to the moderation category. The French wine press noted the launch as a pioneering move: Domaine de l'Arjolle was an early mover in the Languedoc for premium dealcoholised wine at a point when the category was still establishing itself in France.

The range uses a low-temperature vacuum evaporation process to remove alcohol, extracting it at around 30°C. This reduced-pressure technique preserves the primary aromas of the wine that would otherwise be damaged by higher heat, giving the finished product a closer character to the original base wine than conventional processes allow. The white wine in the range is a blend of Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc, reflecting the estate's focus on aromatic white varieties. Esquisse produces both 0.0% and 5% ABV versions of its wines, giving the range relevance across different points on the moderation spectrum.

Distribution internationally is currently narrow, available through specialist online retailers rather than mainstream channels. The mid-range price positioning reflects the estate's standing as a serious southern French producer rather than a volume-driven label.

For sober-curious drinkers seeking an AF wine with genuine terroir provenance, Esquisse offers something rooted in the Languedoc tradition: a 50-year estate winemaking history behind a range that most dealcoholised wine brands simply cannot match.