Eric Texier Vignenvie VDF Blanc “Calico” and MUNA
Eric Texier’s Vignenvie “Calico” Blanc and MUNA’s self-titled album contain multitudes. Calico is a quirky blend of personalities and “MUNA” plays the roles of pop star, country line-dancer, queer cheerleader, among others. Their complexity keeps you on the edge of your seat and hanging on every note.
Texier is a brutally honest, humble, self-aware, down to earth, kind of punk winemaker. A winemaker devoted to terroir, Texier allows the region, land, soil, and vines to dictate what the wine will be. He doesn’t intervene to make it fit into a predetermined idea of a finished product.
In an interview with Louis/Dressner, he declares, “I don't give a shit what people are drinking at hipster wine bars in Paris or what a 1000 Euro bottle of Bordeaux tastes like.” As a natural winemaker, he doesn’t set out to make wine that abandons the traditional craft of winemaking just to be subversive. His stance on natural wine – which personally resonates – is, “if ‘natural’ essentially means a product of nature, then long live natural wine!”
Eric Texier courtesy of Louis/Dressner
Eric’s Vignenvie project is a tight-knit operation between vineyard workers in the Charnay region of Beaujolais and his estate in the Rhone Valley. The Calico wine is a kitchen sink field blend of obscure French varietals: Muscat d’Alexandrie, Muscat Petit Grain, Muscat Ottonnel, Chasselas Blanc, Chasselas Gris, and Pinot Gris blend from the Beaujolais. The aromas give flowers, green apple, pear, and fennel. The palate is super lush and bursting with fruit, citrus, honey, acid, and lots of character.
MUNA is another close collaboration between three alt-pop luminaries: Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson. They and their music are vulnerable, fun, sexy, and proudly queer. “MUNA” is the first album release from Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory label and it’s radiant from start to finish.
“Silk Chiffon,” the album’s first track and single, is pop perfection. Like the lyrics, “keepin’ it light like silk chiffon,” it’s effervescent. It captures the elusive feeling of euphoria in the lyrics, melody, harmonies, guitars, and percussion. It’s a dish of a song best served with an equally delicious wine, like the Calico.
“What I Want” is another standout dance track. It’s about liberation, putting yourself first, saying “fuck it,” and making up for lost time. It charges towards self-discovery and claiming what you want: “there’s nothing wrong with what I want.” It’s self-assured like the wine that’s made exactly to the winemaker’s liking and no one else’s, which is by default just as nature intended.
“Runner’s High” is about consciously being in your next era, away from its toxic predecessor.
Since I left I've not been drinking or staying out late
Get up early and I meditate
Paint the walls a different color
I've been doing almost everything I wanted to
Shame I couldn't do it with you
The song’s sentiment eventually waivers, suggesting the forward motion might be a fleeting feeling: “You said I'd regret it when I was leaving / Funny how a fall could feel just like flying / When I'm waiting for it to hit me.”
Katie dips into a lower vocal range on “Home By Now,” showing her versatility. The dreamy alt-pop song is emotional and soaring, but you could also put it on at the club. The self-aware lyrics are a gut punch for anyone who is or has struggled in a relationship.
“Kind of Girl” makes me weak in the knees. It’s their The Chicks-meets-Kacey Musgraves moment, and it’s gorgeous, vulnerable, and honest. But, most of all it’s hopeful in its vision for a better life:
I could get up tomorrow
Talk to myself real gentle
Work in the garden
Go out and meet somebody
Who actually likes me for me
And this time I'll lеt themI'm the kind of girl
Who owns up to all of my faults
Who's learning to laugh at 'em all
Like I'm not a problem to solve
As the wine opens up, it takes on a more nutty note, like how the album evolves from track to track. “Handle me” is groovy and vibey, “Loose Garments” is delicate and gentle, and “Shooting Star” ends with letting something go: “You’re so bright, you burn my eyes, and you move too fast. So I say good night, make it home like I’m making a wish on you from afar, you, my shining star.”
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