2011 Nicolas Gonin Altesse

Domaine Nicolas Gonin is in Saint-Chef, about 30 miles east of Lyon. It is in the Indication Geographique Protegee of Isere. The 14-acre estate was started in 2002 by Nicolas Gonin, a young oenologist who worked in winemaking in Bandol, Sauterne and Napa Valley before returning to his home town and taking over a few vineyards owned by his uncle. He has also purchased small plots of abandoned vineyards. Though the predominant grapes of the area are Chardonnay, Gamay and Pinot Noir, Gonin has specialized in reviving ancient, indigenous grapes such as Persan, Altesse, Jacquere, Mondeuse, and Verdesse. He calls them ‘orphan’ grapes and has a strong following among those who enjoy discovering unusual varietals. Gonin makes small quantities of red, white and rose wines mostly from indigenous grapes.