Lise et Bertrand Jousset "Exilé" Rosé Pet-Nat, Montlouis-sur-Loire, France 2022

FROM T EDWARD

THE WINE: This Rosé Pèt-nat is made entirely of Gamay grapes collected by hand from vines established in 1976 in limestone and clay-flint soils. This ruby-colored wine is off-dry, with gentle aromas of strawberry-banana cream and crisp citrus, and it has zippy acidity. Flavors of tangy strawberry and cherry yogurt, with plenty of minerality. Balanced, fruity, and quite drinkable!

THE PRODUCER: Lise and Bertrand Jousset founded their winery in Montlouis-sur-Loire in 2004, trusting their instincts to craft a distinctive wine style. Inspired by various vignerons they visited, they embarked on creating natural wines without direct mentors, drawing inspiration from like-minded winemakers who share their values.

Their passion lies in producing wine for enjoyment and sharing, leading them to engage with fellow enthusiasts through travel and networking. Despite facing challenges like frost damage in recent years, they initiated the Exile project. By collaborating with friends who uphold similar viticultural principles, they expanded their horizons to new terroirs and grape varieties while maintaining their unique winemaking approach.

Spanning 11 hectares across Montlouis and Touraine, their vineyard comprises 27 plots with an average yield of 30HL/ha. The Joussets prioritize a hands-off approach, eschewing additives like yeast, chaptalization, acidification, or enzymes to focus on the intrinsic quality of the grape and emphasize meticulous vineyard work.