Ariane Lesné, Pineau d'Aunis "Grandgousier", 2019

Ariane Lesné abandoned a life as a Parisian agent to pursue winemaking in the Loire Valley, arriving at Domaine de Montrieux in 2014 to revive a troglodytic estate carved into the banks of the Loire at Naveil. Her mission: to craft natural wines without synthetic inputs, expressing the unique terroirs of Vendômois through the region's endemic grape variety—Pineau d'Aunis, a dark, often funky red wine of historic significance. The 'Grandgousier' cuvée, named after the fictional giant king who loved pleasure and excess, showcases Pineau d'Aunis at its most expressive: a blend from the estate's oldest parcels, fermented with minimal intervention and very lightly sulfited before bottling. This 2019, at five years of age, shows the wine's earthy, complex character: dark red fruit, subtle earthiness, and the tannic structure that allows Pineau d'Aunis to age with elegance. A wine that demands food and open-minded exploration—it exemplifies Ariane's commitment to natural, authentic expression.