France
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?
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100% Grolleau
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Spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts only (no pied de cuve)
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Grapes fermented with skins for 1 week in a wooden truncated cone open tank
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After gentle pressing, the wine was transferred to a neutral fibre tank
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Malolactic fermentation completed
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No added sulfites, no fining, no filtration
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ABV: 12%
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Volatile acidity: 0.4
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Total SO₂: <10 mg/L
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Free SO₂: Not detected
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Residual sugar: None
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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.
