ZEROINE
Rotalier
Jura
Established in 2018 as an exclusive negociant venture, Zeroine is the brainchild of Maylis Bernard, who happens to be Jean Francois Ganevat’s life partner. Maylis, daring to embark on such a bold career change, received invaluable guidance from both Fanfan and his sister Anne. Notably, there's a discernible alignment in the stylistic approaches of the two trading houses: characterised by distinctive aromatic profiles, lively acidities and exceptionally flavourful palates.
This year marks the highly anticipated unveiling of Zeroine's 2020 and 2021 releases, representing a significant milestone in its transition to become a part-domaine enterprise. Since bottling her inaugural vintage, Maylis has acquired exquisite small plots of land in and around the estate in La Combe de Rotalier, South Revermont. These acquisitions have enabled the introduction of captivating Chardonnay and Savagnin-based wines, which complement the already diverse and playful range of reds.
Maylis’ vineyard and cellar practices mirror those of her mentor, employing soil plowing and vine protection exclusively through plant-based preparations. Embracing traditional techniques, fermentations are largely carried out in open-top wooden vats and opts for extended ageing periods in barrel and demi-muid, followed by at least one year in bottle before release. Additionally, she decides to take risks and avoid compromising her creativity and expressiveness of her wines by fully steering clear of any intervention as well as SO2.
Crémant du Jura, Ju Cre
Vintage 2020
Style Sparkling
Region L’Etoile
Varieties Chardonnay
ABV 14%
Soils Clay, Marl, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking 100% L’Etoile Jura Chardonnay from a organically certified vineyard. The grapes are direct pressed and and transferred to barrels after a light settling. The grapes are spontaneously fermented and matured in 500L demi-muids for one year. These were topped up every 2 weeks.
A second fermentation is then carried on in bottle in September 2021. The wines spends just under 3 years on lees. This is unfined and unfiltered and no SO2 was added.
Tasting Note A beautifully layered Crémant showcasing perfumed notes of dried pears, lemon verbena and waxy dried herbs. The mousse is delicate and the palate is generous and spiced.
Cha Cha
Vintage 2021
Style White
Region
Varieties Chardonnay
ABV
Soils Clay, Marl, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking
Tasting Note
Rie Rie
Vintage 2021
Style Red
Region Alsace
Varieties Gamay
ABV 14%
Soils Clay, Marl, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Half of the grapes are processed through direct pressing, the remainder undergoes semi-carbonic maceration for approximately 20 days. The direct pressed juice is regularly pumped over the maceration of whole clusters in the last few days of the fermentation.
Ageing takes place in tronconic wooden barrels for one year, followed by one further year in bottle sur latte.
Tasting Note Gorgeous raspberry fruit followed by delicate flower-y notes of rose and violets and earthy hints. It has a fairly dense and grippy texture, yet wonderfully balanced by a salivating mineral finish.
Gri Gri
Vintage 2020
Style Red
Region Ayze, Savoie
Varieties Gringet
ABV
Soils Clay, Marl, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking
Tasting Note
Côtes du Jura, Ju Cha
Vintage 2021
Style White
Region Orbagna, Jura
Varieties Chardonnay
ABV
Soils Clay, bajocene limestone
Farming Organic
Winemaking Chardonnay sourced from Orbagna in the Jura region, from a certified organic vineyard The grapes are direct pressed and transferred to 500L demi-muids after a gentle settling. The wine is bottled after two years maturation in barrel and one year in bottle before release. No fining, filtration or SO2 additions.
Tasting Note Notes of candied citrus, honeysuckle and an attractive mineral reduction. The palate is energetic, balancing the pithy fruit and electric acidity which culminates on a long, salivating finish.
Arbois, Ju Sa Ox
Vintage 2018
Style White (oxidative)
Region L’Etoile, Jura
Varieties Savagnin
ABV
Soils Clay, blue marl, limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking 100% Jura L’Etoile Jura Chardonnay from a organically certified vineyard. The grapes are direct pressed and and transferred to 500L demi-muids for fermentation and ageing. The wine is left to mature in barrel with regular topping up for 2 years. After this period the wine is left without any top ups, allowing the development of a veil of flor to form. The wine is aged a total of 6 years in barrel with no fining, filtration or added sulfur.
Tasting Note A very special wine with lots of power and complex layers. Notes of bruised apple, dried citrus, poached pears and hazelnuts come to mind. The intense bouquet is lifted by an incredibly vibrant palate. Very small production.
Ga Ga
Vintage 2020
Style Red
Region Rotalier
Varieties Gamay
ABV 14%
Soils Clay, Marl, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Half of the grapes are processed through direct pressing, the remainder undergoes semi-carbonic maceration for approximately 20 days. The direct pressed juice is regularly pumped over the maceration of whole clusters in the last few days of the fermentation.
Ageing takes place in tronconic wooden barrels for one year, followed by one further year in bottle sur latte.
Tasting Note Gorgeous raspberry fruit followed by delicate flower-y notes of rose and violets and earthy hints. It has a fairly dense and grippy texture, yet wonderfully balanced by a salivating mineral finish.
Pi Rie
Vintage 2021
Style Rosé
Region Alsace
Varieties Pinot Noir, Riesling
ABV 11.5%
Soils Clay, grey marl, limestone, granite
Farming Organic
Winemaking A so called blouge sourced from the Alsatian terroirs. A pretty even 50/50 split of Pinot Noir and Riesling, both from certified organic vineyards. The Pinot is processed whole bunch and undergoes a rather short maceration with sugars finishing then in barrel. The Riesling instead is pressed, fermented and aged in old wooden casks.
Tasting Note A bright, pale ruby colour in the glass, this offers a unique bouquet which combines the floral, peppery notes of Pinot with the mineral tension of Riesling. Cruncy red berry fruit on the attack, it finishes long and somewhat saline.
Ga Cha
Vintage 2019
Style Red
Region Rotalier
Varieties Gamay, Chardonnay
ABV 11.5%
Soils Clay, Marl, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Semi-carbonic maceration using the millefeuille technqiue, consisting in alternating layers whole clusters of white and red grapes. An infusion-type maceration without any pump overs. GaCha is aged for one year in tronconic wooden barrels and bottled without filtration, sulphur-free.
Tasting Note Fresh quince, cranberry, wild strawberry and dried orange peel. It is lighter than GaGa, with crunchy aromatics and moreish acids.
Pi Ga
Vintage 2020
Style Red
Region Rotalier
Varieties Pinot Noir, Gamay
ABV 14%
Soils Clay, Marl, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking A 50/50 blend of biodynamically farmed Pinot Noir and Gamay. The grapes undergo a semi carbonic maceration for 20 days in open top, tronconic wooden vats. Starting with cool temperatures in the beginning and going up to 14°C towards the end of fermentation. It is bottled unfiltered, unfined and without any added SO2.
Tasting Note Fragrant black cherry and dried violet notes combine with warmer tones of sandalwood, leather and liquorice. The delicate fruit and structure is lifted by the savoury aromas and some lovely textured tannins on the finish. Elegant and yet powerful, a characterful wine that sings of its place.