Natural Wine Movement: Loire Leading
The Loire Valley birthed France's natural wine movement. Pioneers here proved that minimal intervention could produce profound wines:
The Pioneers: - Marcel Lapierre: Though from Beaujolais, influenced Loire vignerons - Pierre Overnoy: Jura master inspired Loire producers - Mark Angeli: Biodynamic prophet in Anjou - Thierry Puzelat: Natural négociant promoting small producers
The Philosophy: - Organic/biodynamic viticulture mandatory - Native yeasts only - Minimal to no sulfur - Nothing added, nothing removed - Accept vintage variation
The New Generation: - Brendan Stater-West: American making waves in Saumur - Romain Guiberteau: Perfecting natural Cabernet Franc - Baptiste Cousin: Pushing boundaries in Anjou - Noëlla Morantin: Pupil of Dagueneau going her own way