Pierre-Olivier Bonhomme "La Tesnière"
Pineau d'Aunis
VDP Loire 2019
$44 bottle
This is another one of those varietals that faced certain extinction, to make way for easier-to-market and easier-to-grow grape varieties such as (you guessed it) Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. But thanks to the dedication of a few winegrowers who refused to see Pineau d'Aunis disappear, it is making a comeback with determination! For fans of Poulsard, Gamay, Pinot Noir and lighter Cabernet Francs, here is one you shouldn't miss. This red grape is light in body and color with softer tannins, but it is far from bland and boring. The acidity is perfectly dialed in, the array and complexity of aromas and flavors is so easy to come by and most importantly, its versatility in food pairings is unmatched. Fresh aromas and flavors of blackberries and figs with subtle hints of underbrush and licorice, all of it framed by a juicy frame without going sweet - think light tannins. Perfectly balanced, as all wines should be, we know you'll enjoy this lovely red! Pierre-Olivier Bonhomme knows how to wrangle this finicky grape to make it one-of-a-kind. With years of experience under his belt, he crafts wines from only the finest micro-plots that preserve Loire's small-time varietals. See for yourself why this is going to be the "new" red to keep on eye in the near future. Pair with anything from chicken, pork, beef, tuna, salmon, cheeses, charcuteries - the possibilities are endless.