Olivier Bellanger ‘Gazouille’ Pet-Nat Rose

Born & reared in the Loire (Thésée, Touraine to be specific), Olivier Bellanger graduated from agriculture school and promptly went to work with one of my heroes - Phillipe Tessier! What a great way to start a winemaking path! Over the next 8+ years, he worked with Phillipe as well as some other winemakers always learning and growing. Looking in the classifieds (‘member those?!) one day, he happened upon an ad for 6-hecatares of vines that a retiring farmer was selling. No cellar but vineyards are the first step, right?!! Plus without buildings the price was perfect for Olivier!! 

He sold the grapes for the first few years to make some $$ and then started looking for a cellar. 4-years after buying the vineyards, he found an unused, abandoned cellar that was available and duh! He said yes, please. He still crushes at a friend's place but is slowly piecing together his dream. And tbh, I’m grateful he’s here making these yummies sooooooo…… thanks, Olivier!!

You know how we love the under-appreciated, unknown varietals and so when Olivier expressed the same appreciation, I was hooked! When he started talking about being outraged by the rewards offered for pulling out old, indigenous grapes in favor of “the current favorite” - well, we crossed into crush territory!

 “Nature,” Olivier says, “at the center of everything, offers its best elixirs to delight our taste buds: this is the magic of the Loire terroirs.” So come crush with me - this true vin de soif (in this case-rose pet-nat) is hyper drinkable and will quench that summer thirst. It may not be for everyone cuz Pineau d’Aunis has a crazy, dusty, flinty, floral note that defies description but I can’t get enough! Already on heavy rotation in  my house, this  blend of Gamay & Pineau d’Aunis with a smidge of  Malbec is HELL YES!

Lovely, LIVELY and fresh with the most perfectly crisp bubbles, hints of slightly under ripe red berries plus just enough funk to make you pause (then gulp more). 

Hey if you don’t like - ya know, bring it on back (quickly!) and I’ll drink it!!! Zero judgemen-just more for met!!