2014 Eric Texier Petillant Naturel ‘Rouletabulle’

Region: Brézème Grapes: Chasselas, Muscat de Hambourg
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified biodynamic farming (Demeter & Ecocert), sandstone soil, no added SO2
Winemaker: Eric Texier

Eric Texier, a former nuclear physicist who began making wine in 1995, is the Rhone’s poster child for natural wine. Biodynamic since 2001, he goes so far as to practice “natural” viticulture with zero intervention to the soil or the vines. He only uses a very small amount, if any, of sulfur at bottling (none added to this wine). Recently he discovered a few rows of old vine white and pink Chasselas (a Swiss grape varietal) growing in the corner of a vineyard and decided to experiment with pétillant naturel (a lightly sparkling wine style called method ancestral). The result is this delicious, bone dry, effervescent and highly aromatic wine (think apple cider meets tart lemon candy). Can you say brunch wine? All-day drinkable at only 11% alcohol. 266 cases made.