Catherine & Pierre Breton "Elle est pas Bulle, la Vie?" Brut, Loire Valley, France 2023

FROM KERMIT LYNCH:

THE WINE: 100% Chenin. Catherine and Pierre Breton’s son, Paul, has set up his own cellar in Vouvray, about thirty miles upriver of the family's headquarters in the Bourgueil appellation. He focuses exclusively on whites, and this festive pet-nat is new addition to the Breton lineup conceived and executed entirely by Paul. This is delicious and honest naturally sparkling Chenin, bottled with no dosage and no sulfur.

THE PRODUCER: Catherine and Pierre Breton are real life bon vivants vignerons of lore. They are passionate about what they do, enjoy sharing it with others, and entertain with a generosity and charm. That they make great wine with such integrity makes our appreciation of them complete. The Bretons farm 11 hectares just east of Bourgueil in the village of Restigné. They produce Chinon, Bourgueil, and a bit of Vouvray, creating honest wines for both early consumption and aging. The Bretons received organic certification in 1991 and recently began the three-year process of seeking biodynamic certification. They’ve become international icons for the natural wine movement in an area where the climate and soil can make organic viticulture difficult.