Claude Courtois lives and works in the ‘we get no respect’ east of Orléans commune of Soings-en-Sologne in the Loir-et-Cher. His roots are deep in the back-to-nature movement—not in the... read more →
This is a vibrant cuvée from the young vines planted on the sandy schists of Anjou. There’s broadness on the palate, impact from the schist. There’s a gentle oxidation that... read more →
Château de Bonnezeaux has not produced wines under its own label since the 1980s, having rented its vines. Here’s the first vintage in over thirty years and only possible after... read more →
In the 2016 vintage Claire Naudin (like most of Burgundy) was devastated by frost and hail. That meant a very teeny crop. Claire was planning to make no wine but... read more →
I have fond memories of walking into Paris’s Racines (when Pierre Jancou reigned) and frequently seeing the tousled-headed, boxer-visaged Christian Venier sitting at the bar. Whatever he brought with him... read more →
After Christian Chaussard died, his wife Nathalie Gaubicher continued on by herself. The transition showed the trauma. However, now the wines have found their happy equilibrium. The peppery, red-zingery pineau... read more →
Olivier Lejeune studied in Auckland, New Zealand, where he learned his biodynamics at Felton Road. When he returned to the Loire, he went to the right place. He became one... read more →
Bruno Ciofi learned his biodynamics under the tutelage of Pierre Frick. He then took his knowledge to the Jura. Now he’s finally settled into the Loire working in a partnership... read more →
It says NV but it’s the 2010 vintage. This is another fabulous entry from Bruno Ciofi’s négoce project. It’s a brilliant sparkler from the cellars of Xavier Cailleau’s Domaine Bois-Brinçom.... read more →
I watched Marie Rocher (her dad was my French publisher) go from urban planner, to bread maker and finally, upon the death of her father, to finding her place in... read more →