Patrice Colin "Perles Grises" Méthode Ancestrale Brut

Emilien Colin started selling wine in 1900, but the family history goes back to 1735. From 6 hectares of vines, the domaine, located in the commune of Thoré-la-Rochette, grew to the current 30 hectares: 11 ha of Pineau d’Aunis, 11 ha of Chenin Blanc, 2.5 ha of Pinot Noir, 2 ha of Cabernet Franc, 2 ha of Gamay and 1.5 ha of Chardonnay. Eighth generation Patrice Colin runs the estate. He came back home after having made wine in Greece, Germany and Anjou. He takes care of all operations from vineyard work to vinification and bottling. Coteaux du Vendômois is a really small AOP (350 hectares total, shared by 14 producers) that was officially formed in 2001 but the history of wine production goes back as far as the 11th century. After phylloxera hit, the predominant grape varieties changed from cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, pinot meunier, malbec and sémillon to: pineau d'aunis, pinotnoir, gamay, cabernet franc, chenin blanc and chardonnay. The soils are silex (flint) which are ideal for the energetic varieties, chenin blanc and pineau d’aunis. There is a large cooperative producing 60% of the area’s total production, however half of it is Vin de France; so in fact Colin is the largest producer of AOP Coteaux du Vendômois wines. Certified organic since 1988, Patrice encourages biodiversity and is proud to count over 150 different plant species in his vineyard. He works with very old vines and uses massal selection. His vines grow smaller bunches and berries than the same varieties found elsewhere. Patrice tills the soil for oxygenation and practices green harvest. He uses indigenous yeasts and his wines go through long fermentations. He filters but does not fine. His wines are pure and alive, completely clean, and they scream Terroir! This "Perles Grises" is made from Pineau d'Aunis in the traditional "Champagne" method. With a bright and fresh concentration of wild red berries and slight pepper on the palate, this is the ideal apéritif wine.