Les Reves Oublies
Located in the Côtes du Forez, a small appellation in central France, this is Gamay with a unique twist. The region spans just 150 hectares (370 acres) and is home to only eleven wineries, most of which focus on natural and sustainable farming practices. Nadia and her partner/winemaker Maxime rent a small plot of 70-year-old Gamay vines from Gilles Bonnefoy, a well-respected biodynamic winemaker in the Eastern Loire. They treat the fruit with the utmost respect, employing minimal intervention to preserve the exceptional quality of these vines.
Certified organic and farmed biodynamically since the early 2000s, the estate avoids pesticides and herbicides, using only small amounts of copper and sulphur when needed. Nadia works in harmony with the lunar cycle for vineyard tasks and harvest, continuing to use biodynamic preparations like nettle, homemade herbal teas, and horsetail, though without official certification. The wines reflect the true character of Gamay, but unlike Beaujolais, where soils are varied, the wines here are defined by the rich, iron-rich red clay. The result is a wine with dark, fruit-forward flavours, supple tannins, and subtle liquorice undertones.