Le Temps d'Aimer Pas Folle, la Guêpe! 2020

François Maudet, along with Romain Jos, founded Le Temps d'Aimer, a natural wine project in the Loire Valley, France. Established as a side project driven by their passion for natural winemaking, the winery spans 2.7 hectares on the plateau of Saint Lambert du Lattay. They cultivate old vines (50-60 years) and young vines (10-25 years), focusing on grape varieties like Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Pineau d'Aunis for reds, and some rare Chenin vines for whites.

Le Temps d'Aimer practices minimal intervention in their winemaking process. The wines are vinified without much extraction, emphasizing the natural minerality of the slate soils. Their approach involves spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, no fining or filtration, and no added sulfites. This method results in fruity, open-hearted wines that reflect their terroir.

The winery produces several cuvées, often experimenting with different bottling methods to highlight various characteristics of the wine. Notable wines include "Malice," a red blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and "Sorcellerie," a white made from Chenin. These wines are celebrated for their transparency, complexity, and ability to express the vineyard's unique qualities.

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.