Le Pineau d'Aunis 2023

A fresh, light and peppery red from Jean-Claude Taddei, a garagiste producer in one of the Loire's most famous sites. Perfect for apéritif or fall barbecues!

More about the wine: 

Pineau d’Aunis is a lesser-known but emblematic and historical grape of the Loire. Jean-Claude has just a handful of rows of it planted next to his hilltop plot of Chenin Blanc, along a creek running down the slope descending toward the Loire. He was using biodynamic techniques to farm at the outset but abandoned them two years ago for less-intervention, Fukuoka-esque farming. There is no turning of the soil, no treatments in the vines, only mowing the grass a couple times each summer. 

Grapes are hand-harvested by Jean-Claude, pressed slowly in a pneumatic press. There were two barrels made this vintage. Aging took place in French oak barrels for approximately one year before bottling. 

About the domaine: Jean-Claude Taddei, a professor at the local business school in nearby Angers, runs Maison Jaune — what has to be the smallest winery in Savennières. It’s a pure garagiste operation; Jean-Claude farms mostly by himself and ages the few barrels of wine he makes each year in the larder of his 17th century manor house. Far from a gimmick, the wines are stunning, some of the best new Chenin we’ve tasted in a long time.