Maninalto 2020 – Grolleau

Vintage 2020 | Loire Valley, France | 100% Grolleau | Natural Red Wine

​

After exploring whites and skin-contact styles, it felt truly refreshing to return to red. The 2020 edition of Maninalto was inspired by a glass of Marie Thibault’s Grolleau—a wine so vibrant and expressive it led me straight to my next destination: the Loire Valley.

Here, near Tours, I found an “orthodox” organic vineyard managed by Adrien, where no tilling is done and the only treatments are homemade biodynamic preparations. A living vineyard, full of soul—and the perfect place to work with this often-overlooked yet utterly charming grape variety.

​

So What Is Maninalto – Loire Edition?

• 100% Grolleau

• Spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts only (no pied de cuve)

• Grapes fermented with skins for 1 week in a wooden truncated cone open tank

• After gentle pressing, the wine was transferred to a neutral fibre tank

• Malolactic fermentation completed

• No added sulfites, no fining, no filtration

• ABV: 12%

• Volatile acidity: 0.4

• Total SO₂: <10 mg/L

• Free SO₂: Not detected

• Residual sugar: None

• Bottle size: 0.75 L

 

Tasting Notes

This wine is all about freshness, finesse, and fruit. Sour cherry is the star, supported by wild forest berries, subtle herbal tones, and a backbone of bright natural acidity. The palate is light and juicy, with silky tannins and a mouthwatering finish.

It did go through a long reductive phase, so decanting is highly recommended—you’ll be rewarded with complexity and charm.