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2023 Vin de France Brut Nature “Elle est pas bulle, la vie?”
Catherine & Pierre Breton
Catherine and Pierre Breton’s son, Paul, has set up his own cellar in Vouvray, about thirty miles upriver of the family's headquarters in the Bourgueil appellation. He focuses exclusively on whites, and this festive pet-nat is new addition to the Breton lineup conceived and executed entirely by Paul. This is delicious and honest naturally sparkling Chenin, bottled with no dosage and no sulfur.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | sparkling |
Vintage: | 2023 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chenin Blanc |
Appellation: | Vin de France |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Winemaker: | Paul Breton |
Vineyard: | Planted around 1960, 1 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Siliceous |
Aging: | Aged 11 months on lees |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 11% |
More from this Producer or Region

2024 Bourgueil Rosé “La Ritournelle”
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2022 Bourgueil Clairet “Avis de Vin Fort”
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Fresh and punchy Cabernet Franc from fun-loving Catherine and Pierre Breton. Light, juicy, and ready to go. Drink young, drink chilled, drink plenty.

2019 Vouvray “Bois Guyon”
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2021 Bourgueil “Clos Sénéchal”
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2023 Val de Loire Rouge Grolleau
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2020 Bourgueil “Les Perrières”
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About The Producer
Catherine & Pierre Breton
About The Region
Loire
The defining feature of the Loire Valley, not surprisingly, is the Loire River. As the longest river in France, spanning more than 600 miles, this river connects seemingly disparate wine regions. Why else would Sancerre, with its Kimmeridgian limestone terroir be connected to Muscadet, an appellation that is 250 miles away?
Secondary in relevance to the historical, climatic, environmental, and cultural importance of the river are the wines and châteaux of the Jardin de la France. The kings and nobility of France built many hundreds of châteaux in the Loire but wine preceded the arrival of the noblesse and has since out-lived them as well.
Diversity abounds in the Loire. The aforementioned Kimmeridgian limestone of Sancerre is also found in Chablis. Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur boast the presence of tuffeau, a type of limestone unique to the Loire that has a yellowish tinge and a chalky texture. Savennières has schist, while Muscadet has volcanic, granite, and serpentinite based soils. In addition to geologic diversity, many, grape varieties are grown there too: Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne are most prevalent, but (to name a few) Pinot Gris, Grolleau, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis, and Folle Blanche are also planted. These myriad of viticultural influences leads to the high quality production of every type of wine: red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert.
Like the Rhône and Provence, some of Kermit’s first imports came from the Loire, most notably the wines of Charles Joguet and Château d’Epiré—two producers who are featured in Kermit’s book Adventures on the Wine Route and with whom we still work today.
More from Loire or France
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2024 Bourgueil Rosé
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2020 Vin de France Rosé Grolleau/Cabernet Franc “Les Arceaux”
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2021 Vin de France Blanche
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2022 Sancerre “Les Coutones”
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2023 Chinon Rosé
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2024 Bourgueil Rosé “La Ritournelle”
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2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine “Réserve”
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2023 Savennières “Cuvée Spéciale”
Château d’Epiré France | Loire
2018 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
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2023 Vouvray “Pierres Rousses”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2024 Bourgueil Rosé
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire
2020 Vin de France Rosé Grolleau/Cabernet Franc “Les Arceaux”
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire
2021 Vin de France Blanche
Domaine Michel Brégeon France | Loire
2022 Sancerre “Les Coutones”
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2023 Chinon Rosé
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2024 Bourgueil Rosé “La Ritournelle”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine “Réserve”
Domaine Michel Brégeon France | Loire
2024 Reuilly Pinot Gris Rosé
Domaine de Reuilly France | Loire
2024 Jasnières
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2023 Savennières “Cuvée Spéciale”
Château d’Epiré France | Loire
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174