Pineau d'Aunis grape variety

Adonis Red 2022,

La Grapperie

Adonis is the red counterpart of Aphrodite and a superb organic (Ecocert) and natural dry white wine from the Coteaux du Loir, vinified by Renaud Guettier of La Grapperie, without additives, sulfites, or chemical additives.

Vinification

Adonis is made from Pineau d'Aunis, one of the oldest grape varieties in the Loire Valley Western. The vines, pruned in goblet form, are on average seventy-five years old and grow on black silt and limestone (tuffeau) soils. The harvest is manual, transported on horseback. Aging is twelve months in barrels.

Tasting

Draped in a beautiful garnet color, Adonis offers a complex nose of red fruits: strawberry, cherry, smoked blackberry, sweet herbs… On the palate, a beautiful structure between black pepper and raspberry. Spicy, fruity and peppery, with a lovely sweet and yeasty note on the attack that adds to its deliciousness, it is a gastronomic wine. You can pair it with oily fish (tuna, mackerel, sardines), sea or freshwater fish stews with red wine, but also roasts or grilled beef, charcuterie and traditional stews.

Learn more about Renaud Guettier and La Grapperie

In the Coteaux du Loir appellation, La Grapperie is the name of the estate of Renaud Guettier, who can be described as a master of Chenin, but also of Pineau d'Aunis, which is one of the oldest grape varieties in the Loire Valley.

The estate

Renaud's 60 hectares of vines, on the hillside, are protected from the north winds by the Bercé forest. Depending on the altitude, the terroirs are predominantly clay, flint or sand. The grape varieties are the two traditionally authorized in the appellation: Chenin for the whites and Pineau d'Aunis for 90% of the reds, the rest consisting of a few ares of Côt, Gamay and Grolleau. Some vines are more than a hundred years old.

In the vineyard and the winery

The entire estate is cultivated organically. The soils are worked and all viticultural interventions are manual, including the harvest, carried out at full maturity, which is reflected in the fullness and smoothness of the wines. For the reds, the Pineau d'Aunis is partially destemmed (depending on the plot) and the macerations are quite long, three to four weeks, with punching down, to promote aging potential. The wines are aged in barrels for between twelve and twenty-four months, then racked, blended and bottled without filtration. For the whites, the Chenins are pressed directly at low pressure then put into barrels with complete malolactic fermentation, for at least eighteen months, malolactic included, and sometimes up to thirty-six months.

La Bueilloise White 2013

La Grapperie

A blend of young Chenin Blanc and Pinot d'Aunis vines growing on a flint-clay terroir. Harvested by hand at full maturity. Aged for twelve months on slats, without additives. Bottling is done by gravity without filtration, and disgorgement is done on the fly without the addition of preservatives. The Pineau d'Aunis brings a slight bitterness to the Chenin. Lively and intense bubbles, very well balanced.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Concerto Red 2021

Jean-Pierre Robinot

Concerto is an organic and natural red wine from the terroirs north of the Loire (Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir). It bears the distinctive mark of Pineau d'Aunis, the grape variety from which it is made, as well as the inimitable touch of its creator, Jean-Pierre Robinot.

In the vineyard and in the winery

Through Concerto, master winemaker Jean-Pierre Robinot showcases Pineau d'Aunis grown on limestone soils. The harvest is carried out by hand and vinified in whole bunches with three weeks of maceration, which gives the wine body. Aged for a year in old barrels.

Tasting

All the typical characteristics of Pineau d'Aunis: spices, cranberry, pomegranate, and a touch of raspberry. Limestone and mineral notes, a touch of undergrowth, a touch of yeast and butter, a pure and light color. A touch of menthol and black pepper on the palate. Drink with a good roast beef or lamb, a delicately roasted pigeon, charcuterie, cured meats, and even uninhibited fish such as smoked mackerel or any other smoked seafood.

Learn more about Jean-Pierre Robinot

Anyone interested in natural wine in France has crossed paths with Jean-Pierre Robinot and has never forgotten this smiling, bouncing figure. Although it has not yet been proven that all wines resemble their winemaker (a study to be undertaken), the organic and natural wines produced by Jean-Pierre, warm, friendly and luminous, are in the image of their creator. After running the wine bar L’Ange Vin for nearly fifteen years, on rue Richard-Lenoir in Paris, Jean-Pierre returned to his native Chahaignes, a small village in the south of Sarthe. His dream is to acquire his vineyard and make natural wines, without added sulfites.

Great terroirs of the Loir and tuffeau cellars

Jean-Pierre therefore reclaims hillside wasteland, on great terroirs, as well as troglodyte cellars dug into the tuffeau. 2002 will be his first vintage. At the same time, under the brand L’Opéra des vins, he vinifies organic grapes purchased from local winemakers. A member of the S.A.I.N.S. natural viticulture association, Jean-Pierre Robinot practices strict organic viticulture practices, without chemical weeding or the addition of sulfites. The soil is worked and amended with natural composts. All harvests, carried out at maturity on healthy grapes, are done by hand. The location and climate favor noble rot.

Magnum Fetembulles White 2015

Les Vignes de l'Ange Vin

Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Magnum Les années folles Sparkling White 2010

Jean-Pierre Robinot

Natural wine with no added sulfites.

L'Enchanteresse Red 2022

La Grapperie

L'Enchanteresse, by its name, sets the bar very high and has nothing to be ashamed of, and for good reason: it's an organic (Ecocert) and natural red wine from the Coteaux du Loir, 100% Pineau d'Aunis and classified as a Vin de France. It is produced by Renaud Guettier of La Grapperie without chemical additives or added sulfites.

Vinification

It is on a terroir of flint clay on limestone, at an altitude of 100 meters, that the fifty-year-old Pineau d'Aunis vines grow, pruned in a goblet shape, from which the aptly named L'Enchanteresse is produced. The Pineau d'Aunis is harvested at full maturity, sorted and then macerated for four weeks in truncated oak vats with punching down by foot. Fermentation takes place naturally using indigenous yeasts, without any oenological additives in order to preserve the purity of the grapes and the expression of the vintage and the soil. All work on the musts and wines is done by gravity. L'Enchanteresse is aged for thirty-six months on lees, without racking or stirring, in demi-muids in cellars dug into the tuffeau stone. Bottled without filtration or the addition of sulfites.

Tasting

A very intense nose of black fruits extends into a beautiful volume in the mouth, very velvety and fruity, and the length leaves one thinking. Renaud Guettier did not name it L’Enchanteresse for nothing. A cuvée of old vines, this Pineau d’Aunis has excellent aging potential. You will open it alongside red meat, a stew, calf’s head in turtle sauce, or fish matelotes in red wine. He will also appreciate charcuterie, cured meats, and roast lamb.

Learn more about Renaud Guettier and La Grapperie

In the Coteaux du Loir appellation, La Grapperie is the name of the estate of Renaud Guettier, who can be described as a master of Chenin, but also of Pineau d'Aunis, which is one of the oldest grape varieties in the Loire Valley.

The estate

Renaud's 60 hectares of hillside vines are protected from the north winds by the Bercé forest. Depending on the altitude, the terroirs are predominantly clay, flint, or sand. The grape varieties are the two traditionally authorized varieties in the appellation: Chenin for the whites and Pineau d'Aunis for 90% of the reds, the rest consisting of a few ares of Côt, Gamay, and Grolleau. Some vines are more than a hundred years old.

In the vineyard and the winery

The entire estate is organically cultivated. The soils are worked and all viticultural interventions are manual, including the harvest, carried out at full maturity, which is reflected in the fullness and smoothness of the wines. For the reds, the Pineaux d'Aunis are partially destemmed (depending on the plot) and the macerations are quite long, three to four weeks, with punching down, to promote aging potential. The wines are aged in barrels for between twelve and twenty-four months, then racked, blended, and bottled without filtration. For the whites, the Chenins are pressed directly at low pressure and then put into barrels with complete malolactic fermentation, for at least eighteen months, including malolactic fermentation, and sometimes up to thirty-six months.

La Bueilloise Blanc 2022

La Grapperie
La Bueilloise is a dry white sparkling wine from the Coteaux du Loir, classified as Vin de France, organic (Ecocert), and natural. It is produced by Renaud Guettier of La Grapperie, without the addition of sulfites or any other chemical additives. A fine example of this winemaker's expertise, with added bubbles.

Vinification
La Bueilloise is a blend of young and old Chenin Blanc (60%) and Pinot d'Aunis (40%) vines, pruned in goblet and crescent shapes on a flint-clay terroir. The oldest vines are 115 years old and the youngest 8 years old. The harvest is carried out by hand at full maturity. Spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass vats using indigenous yeasts for one month, followed by fermentation in bottles where aging continues for twelve months on the lees. Manual disgorging without the addition of preservatives, then recapping.

Tasting
The atypical blend of La Bueilloise is based on the majority of Chenin, ripe to the point, which brings its roundness, aromas and liveliness. The Pineau d'Aunis brings a slight bitterness. Dry and nuanced, sending out clouds of aromas in bursts, this wine offers lively and intense bubbles. Fresh apple, pear, minerality, dryness, straightforwardness. An aromatic and refreshing sparkling wine, which you can pair with a wide range of good things and not necessarily "white wine" products: it will go well with local charcuterie, fresh veal and pork, raw or cooked shellfish (scallops) and crustaceans, lobster or fish in sauce, and fine sweet or savory flaky pastries. It is the perfect companion to a good blanquette or salmon with beurre blanc.

Learn more about Renaud Guettier and La Grapperie
In the Coteaux du Loir appellation, La Grapperie is the name of the estate of Renaud Guettier, who can be described as a master of Chenin, but also of Pineau d'Aunis, which is one of the oldest grape varieties in the Loire Valley.

The estate
Renaud's 60 hectares of hillside vines are protected from the north winds by the Bercé forest. Depending on the altitude, the terroirs are predominantly clay, flint, or sand. The grape varieties are the two traditionally authorized in the appellation: Chenin for the whites and Pineau d'Aunis for 90% of the reds, the rest consisting of a few ares of Côt, Gamay and Grolleau. Some vines are more than a hundred years old.

In the vineyard and the winery
The entire estate is cultivated organically. The soils are worked and all viticultural interventions are manual, including the harvest, carried out at full maturity, which is reflected in the fullness and smoothness of the wines. For the reds, the Pineau d'Aunis is partially destemmed (depending on the plot) and the macerations are quite long, three to four weeks, with punching down, to promote aging potential. The wines are aged in barrels for between twelve and twenty-four months, then racked, blended and bottled without filtration. For the whites, the Chenins are pressed directly at low pressure then put into barrels with complete malolactic fermentation, for at least eighteen months, malolactic included, and sometimes up to thirty-six months.