Region: Loire Valley (Touraine), France
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc (with potential Chardonnay or Arbois blend depending on vintage)
Body: Medium
Notes: Dried apricot, candied orange peel, dried chamomile, bruised yellow apple, subtle black tea tannins, and crushed flint, with a zesty natural acidity, gentle grip, and a long, savory finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, aged hard cheeses, roasted pork belly, spicy Moroccan tagines, or roasted squash with herbs
The Producer
Clos Rousselly is a historic, 80-year-old estate situated in Angé within the Touraine region of the Loire Valley, perched above the Cher River. Spearheaded by winemaker Vincent Roussely, the 30-hectare domain is certified organic and operated with deep respect for natural biodiversity, plowing fields by horse and maintaining a thriving ecosystem. The vineyards sit atop prized clay and limestone soils rich in local flint (silex). In the cellar, Vincent practices gentle, low-intervention winemaking: utilizing spontaneous fermentations with ambient wild yeasts, minimal sulfur additions, long aging in ancient underground tuffeau limestone caves, and no heavy fining or aggressive filtration.
The Wine
Clos Rousselly's Vin de France Orange is an adventurous, low-intervention skin-contact white wine crafted primarily from organically grown white grapes rooted in flinty clay-limestone soils. Hand-harvested and destemmed, the grapes undergo an extended maceration on their skins for several weeks during spontaneous wild-yeast fermentation. This gentle skin contact imparts an attractive amber-orange glow along with fine structural tannins and complex savory aromatics. Aged on fine lees without fining or filtration, the 2025 vintage masterfully pairs rich notes of dried stone fruit, citrus peel, and botanical tea with a vibrant, chalky Loire acidity and a mouth-drying, mineral-driven finish.
Region: Loire Valley (Touraine), France
Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc (with potential Chardonnay or Arbois blend depending on vintage)
Body: Medium
Notes: Dried apricot, candied orange peel, dried chamomile, bruised yellow apple, subtle black tea tannins, and crushed flint, with a zesty natural acidity, gentle grip, and a long, savory finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, aged hard cheeses, roasted pork belly, spicy Moroccan tagines, or roasted squash with herbs
The Producer
Clos Rousselly is a historic, 80-year-old estate situated in Angé within the Touraine region of the Loire Valley, perched above the Cher River. Spearheaded by winemaker Vincent Roussely, the 30-hectare domain is certified organic and operated with deep respect for natural biodiversity, plowing fields by horse and maintaining a thriving ecosystem. The vineyards sit atop prized clay and limestone soils rich in local flint (silex). In the cellar, Vincent practices gentle, low-intervention winemaking: utilizing spontaneous fermentations with ambient wild yeasts, minimal sulfur additions, long aging in ancient underground tuffeau limestone caves, and no heavy fining or aggressive filtration.
The Wine
Clos Rousselly's Vin de France Orange is an adventurous, low-intervention skin-contact white wine crafted primarily from organically grown white grapes rooted in flinty clay-limestone soils. Hand-harvested and destemmed, the grapes undergo an extended maceration on their skins for several weeks during spontaneous wild-yeast fermentation. This gentle skin contact imparts an attractive amber-orange glow along with fine structural tannins and complex savory aromatics. Aged on fine lees without fining or filtration, the 2025 vintage masterfully pairs rich notes of dried stone fruit, citrus peel, and botanical tea with a vibrant, chalky Loire acidity and a mouth-drying, mineral-driven finish.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.