Julien Pineau 'Chicos' 2023 Southwest, France

Taste 😋: Medium bodied with zippy acidity and a little spritz upon opening. This is an intense but elegant expression, with citrus fruits, melon and subtle herbaceous note. 

Producer: Julien Pineau

Grape 🍇: Sauvignon Blanc

Place 🌎: Loire Valley, France

Story 📖: This wine was first made in 2021 when a devastating year of frost, hail and mildew forced Julien to produce négociant wines in order to stay afloat. Three years on, the wine has changed but his approach has not. 

Julien Pineau took over half of the legendary Clos Roche Blanche in 2015. He focuses on farming and winemaking practices that respect nature and showcase the unique terroir of the Loire Valley. Julien uses horse-drawn plows and allows the ecosystem of plants and insects to thrive naturally. In the cellar, he practices minimal intervention, avoiding sulfur entirely and letting his wines age slowly, often for up to two years, to develop complexity and character.

Pairing 🍽: Herb roasted pork tenderloin

Distributor: Louis/Dressner