Why it matters
The producer
The land Thierry Michon's father had farmed since 1960 became biodynamic under Thierry's direction. He leads Domaine Saint Nicolas in Brem-sur-Mer, where Antoine handles production in the cellar and vineyard and Mickaël works on permaculture and establishing a farm among the vines. The domaine has held Biodyvin certification since 1995.
Soil care is a priority for Michon. Wines ferment spontaneously because he believes cultured yeast changes their taste. Sulfites are used minimally, and the wines are neither fined nor filtered.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Brem-sur-Mer is the domaine's home in the Fiefs Vendéens, a Loire setting where the local wine community has contracted sharply. More than 100 vignerons once lived here; the Michon family is now the only family remaining.
The domaine's vineyard and cellar work stays within that family, with Thierry leading and Antoine and Mickaël handling different parts of production and farming.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range has two red Vin de France wines, Les Rives and Vin d'Antoine. Les Rives is the 2021 bottling. Vin d'Antoine is the other red wine in the range. Their shared category sets the common frame, while the separate names distinguish the bottles.
Vin d'Antoine is ruby coloured, with dark berry and licorice on the nose. The palate is juicy, with silky tannins.