2014 Brendan Tracey Gorge Sèche, Le Clocher de Sainte Anne

Region: Loire Valley > France 
Grapes: Pineau d’Aunis, Gamay, Côt
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Biodynamic farming, semi-carbonic maceration, unfiltered, no SO2 added, 300 cases made 
Winemaker: Brendan Tracey

Brendan Tracey, the New Jersey-born former journalist, punk rocker and radio host, spent most of his youth in San Francisco where his hippie parents moved in the 1960s. His mother was French, so he moved in Blois in 1971 at the age of 15 to live with his aunt, fell in love with the country and stayed. A true child of the 60’s, Brendan’s political views trend towards anti-establishment and so do his wines. He is dogmatic about his production, all of which is done naturally, according to biodynamic principles, without any additives, and specifically against the trend of wines in the local AOC system. Gorge Sèche, a rustic wine made in his garage, features direct pressed Pinot d’Aunis with a little Côt and Gamay, and a short carbonic maceration. He uses an old variety of tinted Gamay that has red juice, making a super-light, bouncy red that is beyond charming, especially with a slight chill – and with just 12% alcohol, perfect for summer day-drinking.