Mark Angeli Ferme de la Sansonnière Les Gélinettes

Vintage: 2022

Origin: Loire, France

Grapes: Grolleau Noir

Alcohol: 12.5%

Due to the limited availability of Mark Angeli's wines, this product is excluded from all discounts and promotions.

The name Gélinette refers to a grouse, a wild bird once common in this part of Anjou during the era of polycultural agriculture. While Grolleau Noir, an indigenous variety, was often associated with high-yielding clonal selections for cheap rosé in the late 20th century, Mark Angeli has demonstrated that it can produce beautiful red wines. Moving away from his initial experiments with Cabernet Sauvignon, Angeli transitioned to Grolleau, proving that with the right massale vines and low crops, this grape yields fragrant and complex results. Once labelled as "Jeunes Vignes des Gélinettes," the cuvée is now simply named "Gélinettes" to reflect the increasing age of the vines.

Cultivated on local schist soils, this wine is a must-try for those who enjoy terroir-driven Gamay. The Grolleau Noir thrives in this mineral environment, producing a red that is both elegant and full of character. Despite historical criticism of the variety, this expression showcases the true potential of the grape when farmed with care and precision. The result is a wine that honours the agricultural history of Anjou, offering a unique and high-quality alternative to the region's more famous appellations.