Vin De France, the designation for natural method wines
Straying off the beaten track by producing living, free-spirited wines is one of the trends rippling through today’s wine world. And it is a trend that resonates perfectly with the spirit of Vin De France which can be expressed in three words – ‘Freedom of creation’. In other words, the freedom to imagine, design and experiment.
Today’s winegrowers and winemakers who want to make fine wines differently have not misread the signs – they share the same values as Vin De France. VDF is an experience-driven designation recognised not only by wine designers, but also by those who enjoy the wines. It is a designation for the bold-spirited.
Yes, the future belongs to those who take risks. Natural method wines and their creators are part of the innovative rebirth of wine. These living, or free-spirited wines as they are sometimes described, are increasingly expanding their shelf space in wine merchants’ and are popular with sommeliers in the top gourmet restaurants and in gastropub culture, both in France and overseas. The trend confirms renewed interest in the flavour and sensations offered by fermented grape juice, once advocated by natural wine trailblazer Jules Chauvet.
Created in September 2019, the natural wine producers’ organisation has drawn up a charter of commitment* to unite this style of winegrower. It comes with the chance to use an endorsement that is issued after an inspection – the ‘Vin Méthode Nature’ or natural method wine trust mark. Key aspects of the charter include the use of only organically or biodynamically farmed grapes, native yeasts and no added sulphites.
Examples include L’Ile Rouge, Maison Advinam, Lanye-Barrac, Famille Amirault Grosbois, Domaine Grand Guilhem, Le Raisin et l’Ange, Sébastien David and Domaine Ferme des Arnaud. All of these steer clear of familiarity and offer a real treat for free-spirited wine enthusiasts.
With Vin De France, many of these artisan winegrowers find the freedom that allows them to express a more personal vision of wine.
*A definition, techniques and method are now shared and accessible on the website : vinmethodenature.org.
Picture credit : Revue du Vin de France
