La Boutanche Pet Nat NV

La Boutanche is a pétillant naturel blanc from Quentin Bourse of Le Sot de l'Ange, made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay grown on biodynamically farmed vines in Azay-le-Rideau, in the Touraine subzone of the Loire Valley. The estate sits on clay-silica soils (locally called perruches) and clay-limestone aubuis over a Tuffeau limestone bedrock, which lends the wines their characteristic mineral edge.

Bourse ferments and ages the blend across three different vessels: a cement tank, a stainless steel tank, and a custom oak barrel he had built to his own specifications, referred to in the cellar as the cigar barrel. The wine completes its secondary fermentation in bottle, as pétillant naturel, with no disgorgement and no added SO2.

The result is a lively, low-pressure sparkler with fine persistent bubbles, aromas of green apple, fresh-baked bread, and citrus zest, and a lean, dry finish driven by the natural acidity of both varieties. It is bottled as Vin de France.