Les Athlètes du Vin Pineau d’Aunis (France)

-

La Cave Noire: Quick Pour - Les Athlètes du Vin Pineau d’Aunis (France)




This one is a joy. A fun bottle at a friendly price point and the perfect reminder that natural wine does not need to be expensive to hit the spot.


On the nose you get vanilla, blackcurrant, dark fruit and a quiet earthy note that pulls you in rather than shouting for attention. Classic Pineau d’Aunis but softer around the edges.


The palate is dry and smooth with a little hint of leather and very low tannin. Then comes the spice. Cranberry, pepper and that warm little tingle you get from this grape when it is treated with care. It feels light and comforting and surprisingly easy to drink.


Les Athlètes du Vin is a collective of growers and makers who believe in keeping things simple. Honest fruit, clean farming, minimal intervention. The idea is to make wines that feel alive but still approachable. Nothing complicated. Nothing dressed up. Just the pure expression of the grape and the place it comes from.


Pair it with roasted chicken, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, anything with gentle spice or even something as simple as a good grilled cheese. It is the kind of red that fits into whatever evening you are having without pushing you around.


Save this for later if you want to build out your natural wine tasting guide. I’ll keep the quick pours coming.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Our Story: The Beginning of La Cave Noire

-
Our Story: La Cave Noire When you stumble across a great bottle of natural wine, something happens. It is alive, unpredictable, and a little bit wild. That is what drew us in. La Cave Noire is more than a bar we are opening in Brighton & Hove. It is the result of two paths crossing. Meet Reza With a background in design and a love for atmosphere, Reza has always believed that spaces should tell stories. For him, wine is not just about taste. It is about the environment it creates, the feeling of gathering around a table, the energy of conversation, and the details that make a night unforgettable. Meet Tio Tio’s journey began in hospitality where she learned that the best moments come from genuine connection. Natural wine felt like an extension of that philosophy. Honest, unfiltered, and meant to be shared. Why Natural Wine We have both been captivated by how natural wine challenges expectations. It is vibrant, sometimes funky, and always expressive of the people an...
Read more

La Cave Noire is Coming to Brighton & Hove

-
La Cave Noire: A Story in Every Bottle There’s a new story unfolding in Brighton & Hove, one bottle at a time. La Cave Noire is a natural wine bar unlike anything you’ve seen before — carefully curated, quietly immersive, and full of unexpected moments. Our focus is simple: natural wine, good company, and unique bottles. Every wine we serve has a story, a character, and a little mystery. From small scale winemakers to biodynamic vineyards, we’re here to connect you to the heart of natural wine culture. While our doors aren’t open just yet, we’re already building a community of curious wine lovers. Expect behind the scenes glimpses, tasting notes, and stories from the makers themselves. Stay in the loop: Sign up below to be the first to hear about our launch, exclusive events, and limited releases. La Cave Noire, where natural wine meets discovery. Get early access!
Read more

La Cave Noire: Quick Pour - Serragghia Bianco Zibibbo Vino Secco — 2023 (Italy)

-
Image
La Cave Noire: Quick Pour - Serragghia Bianco Zibibbo Vino Secco — 2023 (Italy) This one feels a little special. Not to take away from the others in the series, every bottle we feature earns its place, but this is the kind of wine we would open for a moment. A touch higher in price, yes, but worth it for the occasion. These bottles rarely stay on the shelf for long. If you see one, it is probably the last. That silver arrow label stops you in your tracks, the small 1/600 near the neck. We were curious from the start. Made by Gabrio Bini at Azienda Agricola Serragghia on the volcanic island of Pantelleria, just southwest of Sicily. 100 percent Zibibbo, fermented with native yeasts and macerated on skins for months in buried terracotta amphorae. No filtration, no additives, no shortcuts, a raw and expressive orange wine that mirrors the island’s rugged landscape. Notes of orange blossom, dried apricot, wild herbs, and sea spray. Textured, saline, and endlessly fresh. This is a wine that ...
Read more