The young Yann Bertrand has quickly become the talk of Fleurie gaining a reputation for his extremely expressive and vibrant Fleurie in an appellation famous for its elegance and grace.
Mentored by Beaujolais icons Yvon Metras and Jean Foillard, Yann learned the importance of organic viticulture and having a natural hand in the cellar.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I’m from a family of winegrowers. My father and my grandfrather were winegrowers in Beaujolais. My great grandfather had a small winegrowing negoce and was very gifted in business and was also an astute taster.
IF YOU COULD BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR APPROACH IN THE VINEYARD WHAT WOULD IT BE?
My philosophy is simple. The point is to attain the most beautiful balance possible for the soil. A living soil is likely to break down organic material in order to satisfy the all the vine’s needs. A soil with good equilibrium will produce a grape that will represent the terroir where it was grown. The work in the cellar is continued in this philosophy. The goal is to not need to use oenological products in order to obtain wines with more emotion – more “vibrant.”
WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT YOUR VINEYARDS?
It’s the complexity of the winemaker’s profession that passions me rather than one particular aspect of it. It’s the best when you think about how you spent the whole year while drinking your wine with a client at a wine shop or restaurant. It’s filled with emotion. What’s unique about our wines is that we produce different wines even though all the vines are in the same area. The complexity that can be found in the vineyard is demonstrated each year through these different cuvees.
IF YOU COULD SAY ONE THING TO THE SOMMELIERS WHO ARE INTRODUCING PEOPLE TO YOUR WINES FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A saying that I use often “Time doesn’t respect what is done without it.” We make natural, fragile wines that sometimes require more time to express themselves. We must know how to forget about them for a month in the cellar when the wine doesn’t taste as we know it to.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC?
“Seventies” de TRINIX
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERHERO POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
I think that I would like the power to fly.
Maximilian Girardi
Is the youngest winemaker to get the prestigious Merano Wine Festival “red stamp” quality mark and the “best Albana wine in Italy” for two years in a raw.Keynote speaker at the Wine Management Lab at the SDA Bocconi School of Management and confirmed wine communication expert.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born in Bolzano, in Northern Italy in a lovely family and I was raised in a small beautiful village, Rocca San Casciano, in the heart of Romagna-Toscana Appennines.
It was my grandfather’s hometown and where I currently live with my wife Giulia and my dog Frodo.
IF YOU COULD BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR APPROACH IN THE VINEYARD WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The company has a young approach with a look at the wine of the future, a good wine, elegant that reflects the territory and gives emotions. We give a lot of importance to the environment, we have a very low environmental impact and we have done studies on the ground for biological and biodynamic with the University of Bolzano, we try to minimize treatments in the vineyard.
WHAT MAKES WINE EXCITING FOR YOU?
Wine is so deeply embedded in the Italian identity and is part of our rich culture.
Each bottle is considered sacred, has its own story to tell.
Wine is conviviality, it’s exciting to try a wine recommended by friends and to find a wine which compliments a great dish.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?
I love Italy and I love our territory and I would like to focus on the enhancement of the Romagna-Toscana Appennines.
In this area we have excellent products, amazing landscapes and a high standard of living.
About a year ago started a very interesting project from the enthusiasm of some volunteers: “Cambia Vita” a house for free for one week in Rocca San Casciano.
No stress, great food, surrounded by nature: it’s the perfect “place to be”, it just needs to be discovered.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE WRITER?
I love Fitzgerald and Pirandello, a genius.
IF YOU WERE A TREE, WHAT KIND OF TREE WOULD YOU BE?
An oak, one of the most beneficial trees for wildlife.
