Yann Bertrand Fleurie Alice 6/10 2022

Yann Bertrand is a leading natural wine producer based in the Fleurie appellation of Beaujolais, France. Born into a winemaking family, Bertrand initially pursued other interests before immersing himself in the natural wine movement. His early inspiration came from iconic Beaujolais producers like Jean Foillard and Yvon Métras, who mentored him in crafting wines that respect the land and its natural processes.

Bertrand farms about 9 hectares of vineyards, all certified organic and biodynamic since 2013. He specializes in Gamay, the hallmark grape of Beaujolais, and his wines are renowned for their purity, freshness, and expressive character. Bertrand employs techniques like cold carbonic maceration and eschews added sulfites, allowing his wines to fully reflect the unique terroirs of Fleurie and its neighboring crus. His parcels are located in prime areas with granite soils, which impart a distinct mineral quality to the wines.

Key wines from Bertrand include Fleurie Cuvée du Chaos, which comes from 100-year-old vines and is aged in old barrels, and Morgon Dynamite, a wine from his Morgon vines that is aged for 7-9 months in used barrels without any additions or treatments. Bertrand also produces a range of negociant wines, where he sources fruit from other trusted growers, maintaining strict organic and biodynamic standards​.

His wines, such as Mon Petit Chéri and Lantignié, are sought after for their delicate balance of fruit, floral aromas, and earthy complexity, making Bertrand a prominent figure in the world of natural Beaujolais​.

The Beaujolais wine region is located south of Burgundy. It stretches for about 50km from the town of Mâcon and its characteristic rolling hills to the flatlands bordering the regional capital and world-renowned culinary center Lyon on the north.

Beaujolais wine region is split in two by the Nizerand River. The north of the river is where we find the Crus and Beaujolais Villages, whereas south of the river is where Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau are made.

Gamay is the dominant grape varietal of the region giving its best when grown on the granite and sandy clay soils north of the Nizerand River and made into Beaujolais Crus and Beaujolais Villages easy-drinking delicious wines.

There are ten Beaujolais Crus where the best Beaujolais are made: Brouilly, Chenas, Chiroubles, Cote de Brouilly, Fleurie, Julienas, Morgon, Moulin-a-Vent, Regnie, and Saint-Amour.