2016 Martin Texier ‘Petite Nature’ Pétillant-Nature

Price: $22
Region: Rhone Valley < France
Grapes: 50% Pink & white Chasselas, 50% Muscat du Hambourg
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified biodynamic farming (Demeter & Ecocert); sandstone soils on top of granite rock; ancestral method: direct press to stainless steel tanks for fermentation, then bottled with a little RS left to carry out secondary fermentation in the bottle and trap the natural bubbles; no added SO2; 12% ABV; 250 cases made.
Winemaker: Martin Texier

Martin Texier (his father, Eric, a well-known northern Rhône natural wine producer) began making wine in 2014 after a stint in music (he’s a pretty rad DJ) and wine trade internships in NYC. But he felt the pull of the vines, and realized that wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. Dad gifted him this vineyard, an abandoned site in Ardèche with some Chasselas, Muscat and random table grapes, which all ferment together to make his Petite Nature Pet’Nat in the ancestral method. It’s softly sparkling, with pear, white flower, green herbs and a hit of grapefruit, and just enough of a hint of earth to remind you this isn’t your mama’s Prosecco. The overall effect is delicious, bone dry and highly aromatic (think apple cider meets tart lemon candy). Can you say brunch wine?