Remember Pierre Jancou? The handsome and passionate founder of that cuter-than-hell place on the left bank, Caves Miard (at La Crmerie in the sixth arrondisement of Paris.)?
In the late fall he sold the place to some nice guys (name escapes me--place is still really great) is looking for another spot in which to set up his kind of natural wine bar, but his time he wants a real place kitchen--and seems to be entering
the wine importing business. He has created a site on vins naturel worth tuning in to.
For those new to the natural wine debate, his site lays out the facts in a Dick and Jane straight shooting way. This is nifty reading for those scratching their heads over the natural vs. techo wine arguments. He missed some major points, such as many of the nasty additives that find their way into wine. Also, a few things on the site seem over the top, such as this little ditty under the winemaking section:
"A winemaker who doesn't grow grapes is like the editor of somebody else's book. He feels he has to change something in order to show that he is earning his money. "
Well, that one made me cringe with its narrow point of view. I have had those kinds of editors. Yes. They do exist. But most of my editors have been terrific. A great editor is a pretty thrilling bit of teamwork, we set each other up for the good shot. Going back to the winemaker, would I rather drink the wine from someone who grew their own grapes? Sure. But have I had great wine made from purchased grapes? Absolutely.
Of course, what 'natural' wine site of this genre doesn't deify Jules Chauvet--seen as the big daddy of non-sulfur winemaking. However, there's a good list of wine bars in Paris and its a good resource for what to expect in this genre. well, look. Just go, take a look, and get back to me.
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