Domaine Lise et Bertrand Jousset Exile Blanc 2018
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Lise and Bertrand Jousset created their own estate in 2004 in the heart of Montlouis-sur-Loire (20 min driving east of Tours). Bertrand was career military until 1998 when he began a two year degree at Lycée Viticole d’Ambroise followed by 4 years in the field to learn (Switzerland, Loire et Cher, Vouvray and a little bit in Montlouis).
The choice of producing Vin Nature would seem inevitable according to their lifestyle up to that point. After visiting Lapierre, Overnoy and the Bretons, their impulse towards producing natural wines was reinforced. They do not have any mentor, any example to follow. However, there are many vignerons they admire and who inspire them. The Chenins from Richard Leroy, the reds of Sebastien David and Nicolas Reau, also Yvonne Hegoburu.
They are not pretentious, quite the opposite; they produce their wine for pleasure alone. For Lise & Bertrand the main idea behind the wine is to share it, to connect with people and to transfer their love to the person lucky enough to enjoy it. This is why they are traveling often: to share their bottles with a diversity of people and enjoy the pleasure of meeting like-spirited people! For the past 5 years they had some disasters with the frost. Indeed, they lost up to 70% of their production one vintage. To be able to survive they had to find a solution and this is how the Exile project started. The idea of this project was to source grapes from friends that were on the same page when it came to wine growing.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
A small category representing the wines that either fall outside of appellation lines or don’t subscribe to the law and traditions set forth by the French government within certain classified appellations, “Vin De France” is a catch-all that includes some of the most basic French wines as well as those of superior quality. The category includes large production, value-driven wines. It also includes some that were made with a great deal of creativity, diligence and talent by those who desire to make wine outside of governmental restrictions. These used to be called Vin de Table (table wine) but were renamed to compete with other European countries' wines of similar quality.