from the sommelier’s desk: Origin’elle

Francoise Bedel grows vines in the far western reaches of Champagne (towards Paris), in the Vallee de la Marne. A single mother of two sons, she found herself in dire straits as her eldest fell ill. After several trips to different doctors were to no avail, she began rolling back all chemical and synthetic materials in her vineyard - advice given to her by a local homeopathic practitioner. Her son's condition improved, and at that moment she was dedicated to organic farming. That was 1982, far before "organic" or "biodynamic" became buzzwords and far before anyone had even heard of it. In 1998, she started putting biodynamic practices into action slowly, and in 2006 she went fully biodynamic in her little vineyard.

This type of story brings to light the "why" of what we do here at Nan's. It isn't about being cool or following trends. We want to drink real, unadulterated wine made by real people - not faceless corporations producing drinkable commodities laden with chemicals. We want to know that our dollars support people with integrity and passion for what they're doing. It all translates to a better feeling buying it, cleaner and better-tasting wines, and less of a "I just got hit by a truck" feeling in the morning.

'Origin'elle' is a blend of the three Champagne grapes - Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, with Pinot Meunier taking the front seat at 70% (the grape that the Marne Valley is known for producing exceptionally). Meunier is the softest and roundest of the three, providing fresh fruitiness to the mix. Her wines are not for the impatient, aging extra extended periods in the barrel to soften and widen out the palate. The result is stunning, and I've gotten one of the last few cases available at the moment just in time for Easter. Come in and grab a bottle from the endcap shelf before they run out (I already have dibs on one).

- Christopher Keith, Nan’s Farmhouse Sommelier and Wine Buyer