Natural Wine Importer Thomas Meunier
Join us for a very special tasting with Thomas Meunier of Authentique Vin Imports.
Featured wine:
JOSEPH LANDRON at DOMAINE DE LA LOUVETRIE: Jo Landron long commitment to natural practices has been an inspiration for a lot of winegrower in Fance and his wines became a reference in the too small family of the Terroir driven Muscadet. Meet Jo once and you’ll be conquered by his genuine kindness, his true generosity and his catching persistence. The 89 acres of Domaine de La Louvetrie are located at the climax of the Muscadet region on the rolling hills of the Sèvre and Maine Rivers. Known to be the most ideal area of the region, the soils are rich in magnesium and potassium, made up of clay, gravel and sand above subsoil’s of Gneiss, schist, granite and volcanic rocks. The vineyard is dominated by maritime influences of the nearby Atlantic Ocean that give this distinctive saltiness and iodized taste. The vineyard was converted 100% organic viticulture in 1999, gaining full certification from ECOCERT in 2002. In 2008 Jo took the leap to full biodynamic viticulture, gaining BIODYVIN certification.
JO LANDRON BRUT MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE ATMOSPHÈRES
CLOS TROTELIGOTTE, EMMANUEL RYBINSKI: The family vineyard, entirely replanted in 1987 by Emmanuel’s father, is a single block of 29 acres located on the unique plateau of iron-rich limestone of Villesèque, small village situated at an elevation of 1,400 feet. Certified sustainable culture since 2005, the entire estate is in conversion to organic certification since 2010 and 2013 is the start of a Biodynamic practice. Fascinated by his Terroir, each of Emmanuel’s wines is the expression of a single parcel selection showcasing the different level of concentration of iron in the soil. All his cuvée are given a name starting with the “K” of Cahors, “K2” the apex of his selection, is named after the second-highest mountain on Earth. A fine ageing in Terracotta amphora display all the subtlety of his Terroir.
CLOS TROTELIGOTTE CAHORS MALBEC “K-POT’”
CLOS TROTELIGOTTE CAHORS MALBEC “KLYS”
CLOS TROTELIGOTTE CAHORS MALBEC “K2”
“Authenticity”, a simple and humble word that sums up my conception of wine and life because, to me, both are so closely linked. As sales manager at a winery in the Loire Valley for the last 6 years, I had the chance to live in the heart of a family that has made wine for four generations. Thanks to them, I realized that behind a wine and our sometimes subjective, personal appreciation there underlies a family tradition, the force of the experience, the expression of a single personality that makes each wine different with its quality and defaults. In the end, all this makes it unique…
I have kept this understanding first while building my selection; finding true winegrowers that make no concessions, with distinctive personalities that are reflected in their wine. Authentic people that make authentic wine in a sustainable way which reveal the identity of a soil, a grape and a climate- the notion of Terroir.”
How i entered the wine world
Freshly graduated from an International Trade high school with a specialization in Supply Chain Management, I met my mentor, the vigneron Frederic Mabileau, during a trip organized by the sommelier/oenologue program I was attending. His interest in expanding the winery’s export markets matched perfectly with my professional goals and skills. For 6 years Frederic entrusted me with the entire communications and sells around the world. Here, I had the chance to fight for this tiny unknown appellation … a true learning experience. In addition, I had the chance to assist Frederic during the key moments of the harvest and vinification periods. I shared the fears, the joys and the hopes of a winemaker, while meticulously paying attention to every detail so he could reveal his expression of wine. Through this experience I developed my will to fight for the individual recognition of wines of character.