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2019 Vouvray “La Dilettante”
Catherine & Pierre BretonAlthough Catherine and Pierre Breton are known primarily for their Cabernet Francs from Bourgueil and Chinon, they also craft a sparkler as well as a few whites from Catherine’s home AOC, Vouvray. In 2002, about a decade and a half after they began making reds, Catherine turned to her parents’ domaine to source the Chenin Blanc grapes for these newer bottlings. Today, Catherine and Pierre are joined by their daughter, France, and son, Paul, who shows a particular interest in the white wines. Reflecting the at times dramatic vintage variation of this slice of the Loire Valley, the Bretons’ Vouvrays are incredibly transparent vintage after vintage. Delicate, precise, and succulent at the same time, this beautiful blanc will pair well with fresh seafood and light summer salads and pastas.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chenin Blanc |
Appellation: | Vouvray |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Winemaker: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Vineyard: | 40 years, 5 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | There is no maloactic fermentation and the wine is bottled in the spring following harvest |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2019 Vouvray “Bois Guyon”
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For this Vouvray, Paul has opted for a demi-sec style utterly unique in its combination of honeyed richness and flinty verve. This bottling is hard to resist on its own, but you might also try serving it with a simple cheese platter.
2022 Bourgueil Rosé “La Ritournelle”
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2021 Bourgueil “La Dilettante”
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Vouvray Brut “La Dilettante”
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Dry Champagne-method sparkler that delivers tremendous value.
2020 Bourgueil “Nuits d’Ivresse”
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Bottled without any sulfur whatsoever, here is a seriously playful Cab Franc from the masters of vinous fun.
2019 Bourgueil “Les Perrières”
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There isn’t a spot in the world better suited for Cabernet Franc, and their old vines produce the raw material for one of the best reds in the Loire valley.
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This divine red allies the power and finesse one would expect from this great terroir.
2020 Vouvray “Pierres Rousses”
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This wine is deep and textural, with serious presence on the palate and a dry, flinty finish.
2022 Bourgueil “Trinch!”
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Peppery and bright, earthy and juicy all at once.
2022 Bourgueil Clairet “Avis de Vin Fort”
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Fresh and punchy Cabernet Franc from fun-loving Catherine and Pierre Breton. Light, juicy, and ready to go. Drink young, drink chilled, drink plenty.
About The Producer
Catherine & Pierre Breton
About The Region
Loire
The defining feature of the Loire Valley, not surprisingly, is the Loire River. As the longest river in France, spanning more than 600 miles, this river connects seemingly disparate wine regions. Why else would Sancerre, with its Kimmeridgian limestone terroir be connected to Muscadet, an appellation that is 250 miles away?
Secondary in relevance to the historical, climatic, environmental, and cultural importance of the river are the wines and châteaux of the Jardin de la France. The kings and nobility of France built many hundreds of châteaux in the Loire but wine preceded the arrival of the noblesse and has since out-lived them as well.
Diversity abounds in the Loire. The aforementioned Kimmderidgian limestone of Sancerre is also found in Chablis. Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur boast the presence of tuffeau, a type of limestone unique to the Loire that has a yellowish tinge and a chalky texture. Savennières has schist, while Muscadet has volcanic, granite, and serpentinite based soils. In addition to geologic diversity, many, grape varieties are grown there too: Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne are most prevalent, but (to name a few) Pinot Gris, Grolleau, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis, and Folle Blanche are also planted. These myriad of viticultural influences leads to the high quality production of every type of wine: red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert.
Like the Rhône and Provence, some of Kermit’s first imports came from the Loire, most notably the wines of Charles Joguet and Château d’Epiré—two producers who are featured in Kermit’s book Adventures on the Wine Route and with whom we still work today.
More from Loire or France
2022 Val de Loire Rouge Grolleau
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2020 Chinon “Les Petites Roches”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2022 Bourgueil Rosé
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire
2022 Bourgueil Clairet “Avis de Vin Fort”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2019 Vouvray “Bois Guyon”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2022 Cheverny
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire
2022 Saumur Champigny “Cuvée Domaine”
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2019 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
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2020 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2022 Anjou Rouge “Clos de la Cerisaie”
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2020 Vouvray “Pierres Rousses”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2020 Saumur Blanc “Terres”
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2022 Val de Loire Rouge Grolleau
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2020 Chinon “Les Petites Roches”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2022 Bourgueil Rosé
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire
2022 Bourgueil Clairet “Avis de Vin Fort”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2019 Vouvray “Bois Guyon”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2022 Cheverny
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire
2022 Saumur Champigny “Cuvée Domaine”
Domaine des Roches Neuves France | Loire
2019 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2020 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2022 Anjou Rouge “Clos de la Cerisaie”
Château d'Epiré France | Loire
2020 Vouvray “Pierres Rousses”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2020 Saumur Blanc “Terres”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
A good doctor prescribed the wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges to the Sun King, Louis XIV, when he suffered an unknown maladie. When the king’s health was restored the tasty remedy enjoyed a vogue at court. Lord, send me a doctor like that!
Inspiring Thirst, page 117