Petillant Naturel 'Originel', Le Rocher des Violettes 2019

These unusual sparkling wines are, for some peculiar reason, very much on trend but the méthode ancestrale (where a single fermentation takes place under pressure in bottle using the natural yeasts and sugar present and no dosage) actually pre-dates the 'tradtional method' of Champagne, Cremant, Cava etc which uses a second fermentation to make the bubbles. Don't expect the clarity and finesse of a Champagne, these characterful wines instead have exceptional texture and depth of flavour.

The young but very talented Xavier Weisskopf studied wine-making in Burgundy (and was cellar-master at renowned Chateau de Saint-Cosme in Gigondas) and his 100% Chenin Blanc Petillant is lively and bracingly dry with a gentle mousse and fresh, almost chalky finish, the supreme aperitif or try with typical Loire Valley goat's cheeses like Sainte-Maure or Crottin de Chavignol.