Maupertuis La Plage

Although not very well known, even in France, wines from Auvergne have always had a great reputation. In the 19th century, this region, lying in the centre of the country, in the Limagne basin, was enjoying its own Golden Age. In particular, it was the third most productive vineyard in France. However, an attack of phylloxera in 1895 and another of mildew in 1910, caused a decrease in the volume of wines produced, wines which had been enjoyed by important people like Louis XIV and Henry IV. Although people are still familiar with these wines, they do not have the same reach as before. But the A.O.C. Côtes d'Auverne is still the birthplace of great gems like Maupertuis La Plage, a natural wine made by Jean Maupertuis.

This winegrower, who worked as a computer scientist, can be summed up as pure passion. His story began in 1992 when he bought a small vineyard purely as a hobby. The hobby gained momentum and eventually he quit his job to devote his whole life to winemaking. So, after studying oenology in Mâcon, where he met Marcel Lapierre (who introduced him to the world of natural wine), he ended up growing Pinot Noir and the queen of Auvergne: the Gamay. His vineyards lie at an altitude of 450 metres and on volcanic soil. No fertilisers or herbicides are used and everything is done by hand.

To make Maupertuis La Plage, Jean Maupertais uses methods that protect the grapes and avoids anything that would involve chemicals, like carbonic maceration. For this wine, the whole grape bunches ferment naturally. Once finished, Maupertuis La Plage is devatted and bottled, without refining, filtering or adding sulphur.