2017 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable”Domaine Les Pallières
France | Southern Rhône
$40
Kermit Lynch T-Shirts Now Available
Producers
Back in 1979, Kermit called Savennières “the best climat for dry Chenin Blanc in France,” and decades later there’s a strong argument that this is still true. Château d’Épiré’s Savennières showcases Chenin Blanc’s character with clarity. Aromas of honeycomb and lemon verbena lead to a palate with intense focus and powerful minerality. Experiment with varied food pairings with this Chenin. For example, I’ve found it pairs wonderfully with stuffed grape leaves and kabobs.
—Will Meinberg
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chenin Blanc |
Appellation: | Savennières |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Château d'Épiré |
Winemaker: | Luc Bizard |
Vineyard: | 30-55 years, 8.5 ha |
Soil: | Schist |
Aging: | Juice rests for 24 hours before being racked into stainless steel cuves or barrel for fermentation to begin |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 13% |
Château d’Épiré France | Loire | Savennières
Château d’Épiré France | Loire | Savennières
Éric Chevalier France | Loire | Vin de Pays du Val de Loire
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire | Vin de Pays du Val de Loire
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur-Champigny
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire | Bourgueil
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.
Domaine Michel Brégeon France | Loire | Muscadet Sèvre et Maine
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire | Bourgueil
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur-Champigny
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Vouvray
Champalou France | Loire | Vouvray
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire | Bourgueil
Bernard Baudry France | Loire | Chinon
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgeuil
Catherine et Pierre Breton France | Loire
Charles Joguet France | Loire | Chinon
Château d’Épiré France | Loire | Savennières
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol
Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/bpa