Natural wine- L’Air -2023

Description

Natural wine L’Air 2023

L’Air  is a wine that tells the story of our vineyard, our love for the land, and a unique grape variety rooted in the Loire Valley. The Pineau d’Aunis grape, native to this region, has found a special home on our estate. In 2019, we planted a dedicated plot, which we named “Hannah,” on the beautiful slopes of Toucheronde, just outside Thésée. Over the past five years, we’ve nurtured this vineyard with care, dedication, and a lot of hands-on work. Every vine has been tended with love, and 2023 marked our first true harvest from this young vineyard—an exciting milestone for us.

This vintage is delicate and light in color, reflecting the elegant nature of Pineau d’Aunis. On the palate, you’ll discover a touch of pepper in the aftertaste, a characteristic that adds depth and intrigue to its otherwise refreshing and airy profile. We are incredibly proud of the 1200 bottles we crafted from this special harvest.

The label, adorned with a hot air balloon, symbolizes the lightness and ethereal quality of the wine. It’s also inspired by the enchanting hot air balloons that often fill the skies over the Loir-et-Cher region, creating a picturesque scene above our vineyards and home. In fact, 2023 was a particularly memorable year for us, as we took our own balloon flight with our children just before the harvest. Floating above the land that gives life to our wines was an unforgettable experience, one that now lives in every bottle of L’Air Pineau d’Aunis.

Natural wine Pineau d’aunis Food pairing

For a super funky food pairing, try this wine with Korean fried chicken sliders topped with kimchi slaw! The crispy, spicy, and tangy flavors of the chicken and kimchi will play off the wine’s peppery aftertaste, while the lightness of the wine keeps the pairing balanced and fun. It’s an unexpected combo, but one that really lets the wine’s freshness shine against the bold, funky flavors of the dish.

More of pineau d’aunis?

If you’re a fan of Pineau d’Aunis, be sure to check out our Sweet Dreams 2022, another beautiful expression of this unique grape, sourced from our friend’s vineyard in Vendôme. It’s a great companion wine to L’Air Pineau d’Aunis, offering its own distinct character from a neighboring region.

A great description of Pineau d’Aunis for knowledgeable wine readers would focus on its unique characteristics and heritage. Pineau d’Aunis is a rare grape variety indigenous to the Loire Valley, known for producing light-bodied, pale red wines with distinctive savory flavors. It stands out due to its signature white pepper aroma, which mingles with notes of wild berries and herbs. Its structure and acidity make it an ideal wine for those who appreciate a fresh, vibrant red, particularly enjoyable when served slightly chilled, reminiscent of Beaujolais wines.

Despite its fickle nature, Pineau d’Aunis excels in the right terroir, notably when grown on soils rich in clay and limestone around the Coteaux du Loir. It is sensitive to soil composition and disease, but when handled with care, it yields wines that are aromatic, herbaceous, and delicately spiced, offering a light but complex profile. The grape has been seeing a resurgence due to its ability to produce wines that align with current tastes for lighter, refreshing reds​ Club Oenologique

This grape also has a fascinating history, once almost disappearing from the Loire Valley before making a comeback as a sought-after wine for those who enjoy its distinctive peppery and berry notes. Read more on Wine Review Online

This wine is a celebration of nature’s purity and a true reflection of our connection to the Loire Valley. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a funky dish like our Korean fried chicken sliders, L’air Pineau d’Aunis 2023 is a journey of taste, craftsmanship, and family tradition.