L'Opéra des Vins Fêtembulles 2022

Jean-Pierre developed a passion for wine at 22 after tasting Cheval Blanc 1964. Influenced by Jules Chauvet and Marcel Lapierre in the late 1980s, he had a wine revelation. He opened L'Ange Vin, one of Paris' first natural wine bars. In his early 30s, he co-founded “Le Rouge et Blanc” magazine with Michel Bettane, now a renowned publication on natural French wine growers.

After 12 years in the bar and magazine industry, Jean-Pierre started his own winery in 2001 in Chahaignes, his hometown in the Loire. He acquired land and planted Pineau d'Aunis, Chenin Blanc, and Gamay vines. The labels, often his or his daughter's art. Jean-Pierre makes wine under two labels: L'Ange Vin from his vineyards and L'Opéra des Vins from purchased grapes.

The Loire Valley wine region in central France is renowned for its diverse wine styles. Its extensive geographic spread and the variable climates within its boundaries significantly influence it. This region, often called the "Garden of France," stretches over 800 kilometers from the Atlantic coast in the west to the center of France in the east, encompassing several distinct wine-producing areas along the Loire River.

The region produces excellent Sauvignon Blanc, with the appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé particularly prestigious for their expressive, mineral-driven styles. Chenin Blanc is another key variety, central to the wines of Vouvray and Anjou, which are used to make everything from dry to sweet and even sparkling wines. Muscadet, near the Atlantic coast, focuses on the Melon de Bourgogne grape, producing crisp, saline wines that pair excellently with seafood.

In addition to white wines, the Loire Valley produces reds and rosés, primarily from Cabernet Franc. This grape thrives in the appellations of Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur-Champigny, producing wines known for their floral aromas and crisp acidity. These wines often exhibit a characteristic freshness and are typically consumed young.

The region's climate varies from maritime in the west, which provides a cooling influence ideal for Muscadet, to a more continental climate in the east, which supports the ripening of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. This climatic variation, coupled with the diverse array of terroirs, from chalky limestone to flinty clay, allows the Loire Valley to produce diverse wines that are highly reflective of their specific locales.