The importance of Jon Bonne’s book “The New French Wine,” can be seen in wine communities throughout the world, as the love of French low-intervention and natural wines continues to help define the narrative of this great wine country’s legacy both at home and abroad. These winemakers, from the smallest families to multi-generational estates, rely on deeply human elements remaining at the center of the wines that we enjoy, a reminder that the best wines are made by great people in beautiful places. This book allows us as readers, whether in Thailand, France, or anywhere else in the world, to gain a deeper understanding of why this quiet revolution in French wine is so deeply important to the world of wine and how we enjoy it in so many facets.
Upon reading Bonne’s book, it is no accident that many of the French winemakers, producers, and vignerons we supply and work with here in Thailand grace the pages of Jon’s insightful analysis of the future of French wine. These are producers from every region of France whose wines have captivated us, and we are now able to shed a more profound light on all the hard work and achievements in their craft.
To know just exactly who is mentioned and a part of the driving factor of this New French Wine movement, we have listed below all of the producers we have available in our book from region to region, and we hope you are as excited as we are to drink and discover (and sometimes rediscover) these wines and winemakers.
Alsace & Lorraine
Domaine Vincent Fleith – Carrying a family history of winemaking going back to the 1600’s, Vincent has led the Fleith estate since 1996 ushering in a strict adherence to biodynamics amongst both their Grand Cru and more idiosynchratic cuvees in shades of white, orange, and red.
Le Vignoble du Reveur – A second project from famed winemaker Matthieu Deiss, this estate crafts elegant and somewhat experimental wines that vibrate outside the frequency typical appellation wines
Domaine Valentin Zusslin – Now run by brother and sister, Jean-Paul and Marie Zusslin, this family has been making biodynamic wine since 1997. Their Cremants and Grand Cru whites are absolutely standout classics from the region
Domaine Migot – Camille Migot now helms the family estate based in the diminutive region of Lorraine, these are cool and subtle wines made from Pinot, Gamay, Auxerrois, and a Vin Gris that is not to be missed.
Burgundy & Beaujolais
Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet – Headed by young winemaker Amelie Berthaut who took over the estate at the age of 25 after years of traveling and working all throughout the wine world. These are some of the most spectacular and undercover red Burgundy wines we have had the pleasure of drinking
Jerome Galeyrand – Based in the tiny village of Saint-Philibert, you’ll find minimalist winemaker Jerome Galeyrand making vibrant and ecstatic red and white wines from Cote de Nuits and beyond
Domaine Marc Roy – Run by 4th generation winemaker Alexandrine Roy, this 4 hectare estate in Gevrey Chambertin boasts some of the most decadent and age worthy Burgundy in our book
Domaine Douhairet Porcheret – A three century old property in Monthelie that was inherited by Armande Douhairet in the 1980’s. Nowadays, some very serious wines coming from vineyards in Volnay, Meursault and more
Santini Collective – French American winemkaer Chris Santini specializes in off the beaten path Burgundy, creating a prismatic selection of white and red negociant wines in his cellar in Auxey-Duresses
Vincent Dauvissat – The hegemonic ideal of classic Chablis, to drink Dauvissat is to understand the very best of what Northern Burgundian chardonnay has to offer. Crystalline and ethereal.
Eleonore Moreau – Eleonore of Domaine des Peregrins makes accessible and joyous Chardonnay wines of Chablis and Petit Chablis that are becoming more and more popular throughout the world
Domaine Pattes Loup – Thomas Pico is one of the new generation of Chablis’ most ambitious winemakers and his wines are clear evidence as to why. These are textural and savory Chardonnay’s that show a deepness most counterparts cannot contend with.
Domaine de la Cadette – Valentin, a second generation winemaker, tends to a myriad of vineyards (Planted by his parents) and negociant projects in a satellite region of North Burgundy situated between Chablis and the Loire.
Anne Sophie Dubois – An outlier in Beaujolais’s Fleurie Cru, Anne Sophie’s wines have taken the Gamay grape to new heights from older vine plantings manifested into approachable and serious cuvees.
Domaine Richard Rottiers – Originating from Chablis, the Rottiers have quickly cemented themselves as some of the most standout producers of Gamay in the region with gorgeous wines made from Moulin-A-Vent fruit
The Loire Valley
Domaine de Belle Vue – Encompassing 12 hectares in the very south of Muscadet country, Jerome Bretaudeau has transported the status of this previously unassuming white wine into otherworldly territory, captivating a profound sense of minerality not often seen in these wines.
Damien Laureau – A crown jewel of Savennieres and thus the varietal of Chenin Blanc, these are some of the most serious white wines available in the Loire grown from old vines on deeply historic terroir
Domaine du Bel Air – In the eastern part of Bourgeuil, one can find husband and wife team Pierre and Catherine Gauthier making incredibly nuanced and age-worthy Cabernet Franc from legacy vineyards such as Clos Nouveau
Domaine de la Chevalerie – A historic property dating back to 1640, this is one of the most exciting modern day producers in the Bourgeuil producing dynamic and elegant wines from vineyards that go back over a century.
Olga Raffault – Based in Chinon, Olga’s 25 hectare property encompasses some of the most important terroir in the region with her production paying homage to Chenin Blanc and Cab Franc in the best possible ways. Her wines are astounding and get even better with time.
La Grange Tiphaine – Run by Damien and Coralie Delecheneau in Amboise, they have been making wine for over 20 years and celebrate the authenticity and beauty of local Loire varietals like Cot (Malbec) and Grolleau.
Lise & Bertrand Jousset – Seeking a sense of profound serendipity, winemaking couple Lise & Bertrand left their previous careers to pursue the production of pristine Chenin (among other varietals) in Montlouis sur Loire with a range of labels encompassing everything from sparkling petnat, oxidative whites, and high toned reds.
Frantz Saumon – Championing forgotten grape varietals, Frantz has a way of conveying the beauty of these wines through his 7 hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards throughout Montlouis.
Marie Thibault – Marie works 3.5 hectares of diverse plots of red and white varietals in Valleres, making lovely gastronomic reds from Grolleau and Gamay along with white and sparkling wines from Chenin Blanc.
Alexis Hudon – Quebecois sommelier turned winemaker, Alexis first worked alongside the Jousset’s cutting his teeth in the mineral soils of the Loire valley. Today he runs his own production, making jovial and fun natural wines with blends of local, indigenous varietals.
Clos du Tue Boeuf – Perhaps one of the most important natural winemaking families in the Loire (if not the world) the Puzelat’s carry a deep legacy of natural winemaking in the region and produce a staggering array of unforgettable and dynamic red, white, and rose wines.
Domaine Claude Riffault – A biodynamic focused estate in the Loire, Stephane the son of Claude, now produces incredibly noteworthy Sauvignon Blanc from the families mineral focused parcels in Sancerre. We have been working with these wines for 10 years now!
Jura
Stephane & Benedicte Tissot – Amongst all of the cultic acclaim that this region has received over the past years, the wines of Domaine Tissot will always act as a standard bearer for the potential of biodynamic viticulture and deeply mindful winemaking of the region. Tissot is an absolute must for anyone looking to more fully explore the wines of the Jura
Savoie
Domaine des Ardoisieres – Hailing from one of the smallest winemaking regions in France, winemaker Brice Omont has excited and astounded us for years with his scintillating white and red wines made from the regions most distinguished varietals.
Domaine Gilles Berlioz – In a village known for it’s conventional production, the wines of Gilles Berlioz are a welcome reprieve for Chignin. Making wine from inherited vineyards, his Mondeuse red is a benchmark for the varietals soft-spoken fame
Domaine Curtet – Having previously worked with the aformentioned Berlioz family, Marie and her husband produce wines from local varietals in Motz grown with pure biodynamic principles on their farm.
The Rhone Valley
Domaine du Coulet – Cornas native Matthieu Barret is a seventh generation winemaker, having taken over the Coulet estate in 2001 and carrying with him a storied past of winemaking greatness. His wines juxtapose ruggedness and elegance, crafting new dimensions for the capabilites of Syrah in the northern Rhone.
Herve Souhaut – Situated between the Rhone and Ardeche, natural winemakers Herve and Beatrice Souhaut have created a captivating collection of red and white sans souffre wines.
Domaine Charvin – For Chateauneuf de Pape, one need look no further than the wines of Laurent Charvin. The weighty and structured reds of this region see a shining light of exuberance through this Domaine’s delicate handicraft.
Clos du Joncuas – ‘Sisters Dany and Carole Chastan are essential defenders of Grenache’s good name in the Rhone villages’ and we couldn’t agree more. These wines are a brilliant reimagining of the reds of Gigondas and Vacqueyras
Provence
Clos Cibonne – Potentially one of the greatest and most historically important producers of rose in France, originating from the region that has given this style so much acclaim. Crafting pink hued wines in old barrels from the native grape of Tibouren, these are not your typical provencal wines.
Languedoc & Roussillon
Clos Fantine – A family run estate set amongst the rustic backdrop of southern France where rolling hills of garrigue and wild vines act as a signifier for this classic’s estates low intervention take on regional red winemaking
Domaine des Enfants – An Oregon native who found her calling in the Roussillon, Carrie Summer and her Swiss husband have channelled the powerful energy of their Maury terroir into the styling of their red, white, and sweet wines.
Bordeaux
Chateau Massereau – The wines of Massereau act almost like a time-machine into what Bordeaux used to be and as well the great potential it has for the production of minimal intervention wines in the region. This is a fully biodynamic and organically farmed estate that rings true to the regional nature of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and more without all of the unnecessary additions.
Domaine de Galouchey – Winemaker and restaurateur Marco Pelletier is multi-talented to say the least. This Vin de Jardin or “Garden Wine” is about as iconoclastic as Bordeaux comes, resulting in one labelling of ethereal red wine produced from all of the varietals the region has to offer planted on less than a hectare.
For more information on what cuvees are available from this stunning selection of revolutionary French winemakers please inquire at marketing@winegarage.asia for a copy of our most recent portfolio to explore our entire selection.
Ottara Pyne, Portfolio Manager