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 There
are thousands of grape varietals in the world; up to
2,000 in Italy alone! These first two wines from
France are both from the Loire Valley and extemley
rare.
As always, relax, read (sip), and enjoy!  This
first wine is produced from the Pineau d'Aunis
grape varietal which almost disappeared in the
1970s. Pineau d'Aunis is experiencing a
renaissance these days. Even so there are only
about a dozen producers that bottle a 100% Pineau.
We
begin with the ABV: a whopping 10%! Yes, this is a
rockin' chillable lighter-styled red but with
character and surprising depth. Violets and
boysenberry leap out of the glass along with hints
of lavender and white pepper. There's startling
structure in this wine with a mid-palate presence
of red brambly berries, rhubarb, more spice, then
a finish that stretches. Super impressed with this
rarely seen grape!
2023
Bertin-Delatte Pineau d'Aunis Vin de France
Rabatière(France, Loire Valley) $34  Our
second rarely seen grape is a bit of an oddity.
While it is the third most planted grape varietal
in the Loire after Cabernet Franc and Gamay, it is
rarely seen bottled all by itself; instead it is
typically blended to lend spice and herbal
components + red fruit notes to a blend.
Domaine
des Hauts Baigneux, however, takes their
Grolleau seriously. Our first tasting note was,
"CRUSHABLY DELICIOUS!".
There's bright and juicy notes of cranberry, pomegranate, cherry, peppercorn, and stony minerality, it glides across the palate with ease; a wine that will put a smile on your face. Another fabulous chillable red. This is superb paired with red peppers stuffed with goats' cheese. 2022 Domaine des Hauts Baigneux Grolleau (France, Loire Valley) $30   Staying
in the Loire Valley our next wine is a Rose from
Bertin-Delatte (see the first wine above). Geneviève
Delatte and Nicolas Bertin operate a very small
estate of two and a half hecatres in Anjou. They
work organically, use very low doses of sulphur,
and create wines of verve and vim. The discovery
of this Rose was a revelation. It's a splendid
pink, 50% Pineau d'Aunis, 50% Chenin Blanc. A
pale, coppery salmon color with an impressive
range of tang. Tangerine pith fuse with Meyer
lemon, bursts of pale heirloom watermelon,
Montmorency cherry, with supporting notes of
savory, tangy salinity.
Not
positive what the Zebra-themed label is about;
perhaps to show that this Rose is a true original.
2023
Bertin-Delatte Zebre(France, Loire Valley, Vin de France) $26.50 
2023
Domaine de la Fouquette Cuvée Rosée d'Aurore
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Renegade
Wines - 805.568.1961 - http://www.renegadewines.com
