Axel Prüfer wine | Le Temps des Cerises
Axel Prüfer (making natural wine under the domain Le Temps des Cerises) is a German winemaker based in the Languedoc region of France. His wines are known to be some of the best easy going, light glouglou style reds available and he has a loyal following because of this.
Focusing mostly on Cinsault & Grenache, Prüfer practically doubled his land recently by acquiring plots of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and more which he is now converting to chemical-free and a few years in. This is represented by the now-faded wine of the NEW Avanti Popolo (which also features these in-conversion vineyards) as Axel wants to be upfront there are not FULLY organic, so the label is faded. Every year it will be more coloured in.
Growing grapes in vineyards surrounded by a forest (and using human hair around the perimeter - read more below!), Axel Prüfer wines include Les Lendemains Qui Chantent, Á Oilì Oilì Oilà, Avanti Popolo and La Capitulation Ne Paie Pas!, which is his take on a Brutal Wine after he decided not to make one again.Avanti Popolo 2022
Axel Prüfer
NEW blend! Read why the label is faded...
Les Lendemains Qui Chantent (RARE)
Axel Prüfer
Grenache from Languedoc
Le Temps des Cerises
His vineyards are surrounded by woods, and are a beautiful example of biodiversity and balance. His original land takes up 8.5 hectares on granite and quartz land, producing grapes like Carignan, Grenache, Cinsault, Merlot and Aramon, however, he took on a further 7 hectares of vines in 2020 which he is converting to chemical free (the process takes a few years). This is why the label for Avanti Popolo is now faded, and will gain more colour each year.
Axel Prüfer - The KING of French Glou Glou
He ferments grape juice in stainless steel or fiberglass tanks and sometimes also old barrels that don’t influence the taste.
The wines are light (his 'La Capitulation Ne Paie Pas!' wine is often 9.5%!) , yet very precise, delicious and full of life. Whilst there were problems with mouse a few years back, this does not seem to be a problem anymore, although the wines should be drunk in one sitting rather than held overnight.
Small quantities makes the Axel Prüfer wines quite sought-after.