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2015 Vouvray
Champalou—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2015 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chenin Blanc |
Appellation: | Vouvray |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Champalou |
Winemaker: | Catherine & Didier Champalou |
Vineyard: | 35 years average, 13.5 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Farming: | Sustainable |
Alcohol: | 12.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
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2020 Saumur Champigny “La Marginale”
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2019 Vouvray “Le Portail”
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2019 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
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2020 Chinon “Le Clos Guillot”
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About The Producer
Champalou
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
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Château d'Epiré France | Loire
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2022 Coteaux du Loir Blanc
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2020 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2019 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
Vouvray Brut “La Dilettante”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2018 Vouvray “La Moelleuse”
Champalou France | Loire
2020 Chinon “Cuvée Terroir”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2022 Jasnières “Dyane”
Christine de Mianville France | Loire
1989 Vouvray “Bois Guyon”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2021 Chinon “Cuvée Terroir”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2019 Bourgueil “Clos Sénéchal”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2022 Savennières “Cuvée Spéciale”
Château d'Epiré France | Loire
2021 Vin de France Blanc “Centenaire”
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire
2022 Coteaux du Loir Blanc
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2020 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2019 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
Vouvray Brut “La Dilettante”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2018 Vouvray “La Moelleuse”
Champalou France | Loire
2020 Chinon “Cuvée Terroir”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2022 Jasnières “Dyane”
Christine de Mianville France | Loire
1989 Vouvray “Bois Guyon”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2021 Chinon “Cuvée Terroir”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2019 Bourgueil “Clos Sénéchal”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.
Inspiring Thirst, page 312