Ma Garance Voyageuse, Les Terres Bleues

ORGANIC / VEGAN / LOW SULPHITE / NATURAL

A red made from 100% Grolleau grapes which undergo three different vinification styles: one is destemmed and aged in barrel, one whole-bunch fermented with the stems included, the other carbonically macerated in the style of a Beaujolais. The result is a delicate, light-bodied red, with aromas of red berries along with savoury notes of tomato leaf and red pepper. It's bright and dry on the palate, with low tannins combining with zippy acidity to complement a wild strawberry fruitiness, rounded out nicely with black pepper on the finish

Xavière Hardy, a determined winemaker from La Chapelle-Glain in the Loire, defied local prohibitions to establish Le Terres Bleues in 2013. Her tiny 1.5ha plot, named after the prevalent blue schist, hosts around 8,000 vines/hectare of Albarello-trained vines, in the style of Etna wines, which she tends to according to biodynamic principles. In the cellar she employs delicate practices, eschewing the use of sulphur and filtration, allowing her to create delicate but captivating wines.