The BETA a Chillable Red Wine
We’re in the Chillable Red Wine Era
Chillable red wines are having a moment, and it’s easy to see why. They’re fun, refreshing, and the perfect way to cool down without giving up the bold flavors of red wine. Enter BETA, our new Passe-tout-grain and very first still, chillable red wine produced by CARBONISTE. BETA is a traditional Burgundy-style cuvée of Gamay and Pinot noir with a sun-kissed California twist. It’s a red wine that is as vibrant, refreshing, and easygoing as your favorite beach day, BBQ, or Friday night dinner.
What is a Pass-tout-grain?
First of all, before we get into BETA, what is a Passe-tout-grain (pronounced Pass-too-graahn), and why would we make one?
Passe-tout-grain, or sometimes unhyphenated Passetoutgrain, is an appellation in Burgundy, France that produces light, fresh red or rosé ready-to-drink wines. “Passe-tout-grain” translated from French literally means “Pass all grapes”, where Pinot noir and Gamay are traditionally blended straight from the vineyard. The wine is also sometimes referred to as a PTG. We are not in Burgundy, France (California baby!) so our BETA is not an official PTG, but it is inspired by the style and character of those wines.
California Sunshine Meets Burgundy Tradition
The idea of making a California Passe-tout-grain first started fermenting many years ago when a young Dan Person was on a European vacation. Dan spent some of his time (as a future winemaker would) sipping on tasty inexpensive red table wines. He realized that these casual wines enjoyed at a table embodied the essence of simplicity, tradition, and everyday drinking pleasure. He was captivated by how "cheap" wine in Europe could still offer incredible balance and flavor, a quality often lost in its American counterparts. The concept of a high-quality, unpretentious, everyday table wine is the inspiration for the new California BETA red chillable wine.
What is BETA?
So what is the BETA, really? Well, it certainly is not a Napa Cabernet. The BETA is what happens when you take the traditional Burgundy-style Passe-tout-grain blend of Pinot noir and Gamay and give it a laid-back California vibe. The result is a fresh, “crunchy” (we’ll get to this later), light, chillable red wine ready to drink and be enjoyed.
The Pinot noir in BETA hails from Deerpark Ranch in Corralitos, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Picture rolling hills, coastal breezes, and California sunshine. Now imagine all of that goodness captured in a grape. That’s the essence of our Pinot noir—exotic and floral, with a hint of that West Coast spirit only California can offer.
On the flip side, we got Gamay noir from a young vineyard in Napa Carneros, the Nights in White Satin Vineyards. Fun fact: this is the very first grape harvest from this vineyard! The Gamay brings the dark, juicy black fruit flavors that balance perfectly with the floral notes of the Pinot noir.
How We Make It: The BETA Formula
The heart of BETA's unique character lies in the winemaking process. After harvest, grapes are transferred to a tank without destemming or crushing. The whole clusters are then flooded with CO2 and allowed to undergo carbonic maceration for 1 week. Carbonic maceration is a technique that allows for maximum fruit expression. Imagine the grapes hanging out, whole clusters intact, fermenting in a big party. That’s what carbonic maceration feels like—juicy, alive, and oh-so-vibrant.
After the carbonic party, the fruit is crushed in situ and fermented on skins/stems for 5 days. Each varietal is fermented separately, letting the Pinot noir and Gamay express their full potential. Then grapes are pressed while still slightly sweet and drained into barrels. The resulting wine ages in neutral barrels for 5 months. After fermentation, we bring them together to blend—like a rock band finding that perfect harmony. This aging process allows the wine to develop its complex flavors without overshadowing the fresh, fruity vibes.
Fresh and “Crunchy” Flavor
Okay, let's get to the juicy stuff—BETA’s flavors. This wine is more than just a pretty face (or a cool name). The Pinot noir brings exotic, floral notes that are like a bouquet of wild roses on a warm summer day. It’s light, it’s fragrant, and it sets the stage for what’s coming next. The Gamay adds a layer of dark black fruit—think blackberries, plums, and a hint of black cherry. It’s deep and juicy and makes the BETA oh-so-easy to enjoy.
Together, these flavors create a wine that is both complex and completely approachable. Dan, our winemaker, describes it as “crunchy,” evoking the bright, fresh bite of fruit at its peak—vibrant, lively, and far from anything overripe. The crunchy freshness of it makes it a “Red wine a sparkling winemaker wants to drink,” as Dan describes it. Refreshing yet packed with flavor.
Why the Name BETA?
You might be wondering why we named this wine BETA. It’s simple: we’re all about experimenting and pushing boundaries. In the tech world, a beta version is an early release that's all about testing and exploring new possibilities. That’s exactly what our BETA wine represents—innovation, fun, and a little bit of risk-taking. Plus, who can resist the visual of a colorful Alpha BETA Betta Fighting Fish swimming through a sea of wine? It’s eye-catching and powerful yet familiar, just like our new chillable red.
Tasting Notes
The BETA PTG exhibits:
Appearance: Ripe Strawberry Red
Nose: Notes of blackberry and wild roses. It is a fantastic table wine and is guaranteed to disappear before dessert!
Palate: Fresh and crunchy, this is the red wine that a sparkling winemaker wants to drink; think Beaujolais with California sunshine.
Serve: Slightly chilled at 50–60˚F
It’s a BETA Life
With BETA, we’re bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase “cool wines.” It’s not just about temperature—it’s a lifestyle. BETA is the chillable red for those who dare to try something new, live for adventure, and aren’t afraid to honor traditions while still breaking away. Serve it slightly chilled and let the California sunshine wash over you.
📷Share the Sparkle! We’d love to see your sparkling wine (and chillable red wine) adventures in action! Share your bubbly times on social media and tag us @carbonistewine. Let’s celebrate together, one delicious sip at a time!