In the spotlight
Mike & Maaike from Vivian Sauvage
Imagine you’re in rural France, downtown London or in a less obvious natural wine hub - Helsinki… you take a sip from a truly amazing wine, and you’re filled with excitement. You realise; Everyone should taste this! Many of us have been there. Luckily, there are people like Mike and Maaike, who’ve decided to take action on such moments. Having met a lot of winemakers over the years (and had the pleasure of tasting lots of great wines), they decided to set up their own importing business. With a growing assortment and a recently launched website, find out more about Vivian Sauvage and DM them for your next wine adventure.
Q: In 1-2 sentences, tell us about Vivian Sauvage.
A: We import a small selection of natural wine, mainly from France, (but also Italy and Finland) from winemakers we have all met in person over the years. Leaving the vibrant “vin nature” scene in London two years ago, made us decide to follow our passion and start our own import business in Holland. A bottle shop is on the agenda.
Q: What about You personally, why are you working with this? What's your story?
A: We both select the wines with great care. We used to travel lots to France and visit the winemakers. Last summer we tasted so many great wines that we wanted to share so we decided to dive in. We love the direct connection of the product to the land. Understanding it’s flavours due to minimal intervention. Through family I was introduced to permaculture and biodynamic farming at a young age, and so I have always been drawn to natural products paying respect to its nature and surroundings.
We tasted our first natural wine in London at Raef Hodgons place 40 Maltby (Gergovie wines) 10 years ago and never looked back. We learnt lots from Alex Fitton (under the Bonnet import) who runs this lovely place 161. We miss London! Our bottle shop / bar will definitely be a homage to 20 years London wine, coffee and food scene mixed with rural France vibes ✨
Q: What is your favourite bottle in store right now, and Why should we all buy one?
A: We absolutely love to drink juicy light Gamay right now, and we love the Jonchère’19 by Domaine de la Gapette. We also have lots and lots of Gamay goodness coming soon from Domaine Jean Francois Debourg... As for white wines, the Chasselas “Crave” 2019 by Odessa Comptoir gets me every time. So fresh. Like all our wines, stock is limited so don’t wait!
The Jonchère is light, well balanced, lovely red fruits, perfect Glou Glou that you can drink chilled as well. Sitting in the park, over lunch, on the veranda, rooftop, with friends. Good for any mood really. When you opt for white, Odessa’s Crave has a fresh kind of energy, slight sour apple, vibrant palate. It is unfiltered, direct pressed made from tight packed clusters of Chasselas. We love this grape, it gives such good wine and great parties.
Q: From your shop right now, name some bottles that you consider to be the perfect MOOD BOOSTERS (i.e. pick me ups after a long, dark and cold winter; fun, light friendly and affordable wines).
A: Our Bergianti bubbles, new in shop!
Maaike & Mike
