Vin de France
Our February club selections just released! This month we're heading to France to explore Domaine Bonnet-Huteau of the Loire Valley and the Alsatian natural wine collaborative Pépin. Unrooted specifically chose these winemakers for their role in redefining what it means to be a "Vin de France" (VDF).
Vin de France (VDF)
Historically, Vin de France was used to identify table wines that didn't adhere to regional winemaking rules. The title was reserved for low quality tables wines - but today, VDF is making a comeback. As climate and consumer preferences change many winemakers believe you need to break outside the old rules to craft a wine that resonates with today's drinker. Whether it's a bubbly Pet-Nat or a skin contact Melon de Bourgogne - this month's VDFs are anything but "table wines". They highlight the spirit of experimentation and the terroir of France.
Pépin: A New Tradition from Alsace
Pépin is a collaboration project anchored in Alsace and led by the Dietrich family of Domaine Achillée, whose vineyards sit in the rain-shadow of the Vosges Mountains. That dry, cool climate has long shaped wines defined by clarity and precision, and it forms the foundation of the Pépin approach.
While rooted in Alsatian farming and cellar discipline—native fermentations, neutral vessels, restrained additions—the Pépin project extends beyond the region by sourcing organically grown fruit from trusted growers across France. By using grapes from multiple regions and vinifying them in traditional Alsatian methods, Pépin is able to broaden the expression of Alsace without abandoning regional integrity.
Domaine Bonnet-Huteau
Winemakers Jean-Jacques Bonnet & Vincent Pineau farm this 150 year old family property in the village of La Chapelle-Heulin in the heart of the Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine region. The certified biodynamic estate farms around 40+ hectares, focusing primarily on Melon de Bourgogne—the grape behind Muscadet.
Jean-Jacques & Vincent represent the modern face of Muscadet: serious, age-worthy whites with precision and character, not just simple oyster wines (though they’re fantastic with oysters). They consistently deliver freshness, subtle orchard fruit, saline minerality, and a clean, energetic finish—making them versatile at the table and compelling on their own.
We hope you enjoy!
Joel & Ted
