SOCIAL LUBRICANT (Julien Merle), Beaujolais

Julien Merle is a Beaujolais guy. He took over his parents' estate about 8 years ago. His parents, like most Beaujolais winemakers sold their grapes, and in some cases bulk wine, to larger negociant producers. When he took over the winery, he became friends with Jean Foillard and Guy Breton who encouraged Julien to begin bottling his own wine. Over the years he has introduced horse plowing, natural yeasts, and now makes the wines totally without additives. Simple, straight forward gluggers.