2020 Annolium by Domaine des Trouillères - Côtes d'Auvergne, FRANCE. 750ml
Auvergne has a long, storied history of resistance spirit. In fact, it used to be one of the biggest wine regions in France, with 45,000ha under vine before a combination of Phylloxera and population movement decimated the region.
Today, Auvergne is enjoying a renaissance with young, dynamic winemakers making the most of more affordable land and excellent growing conditions for organic wines. The climate tends to be a dry mediterranean one, with continental influence and a mountainous landscape to provide protection from inclement weather - ideal for minimal intervention farming.
Domaine des Trouilleres produces gamay, chardonnay and pinot noir in this climate, on a tiny 5.8 ha situated between 380 - 500m altitude. This pocket size vineyard planted at 5,500 vines per ha makes only 35,000 bottles yearly, so we consider ourselves very lucky to get an allocation!
In the winery, Mikael follows natural winemaking practices to complement the organic approach in the vineyard. This means no sulphur use during vinification, with a small amount only used during bottling. The resulting wines are honest, lively reflections of their volcanic terroir and highlight the dynamism of this young producer.
