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2017 Val de Loire Blanc “Fié Gris”
Éric Chevalier
Fié Gris is a local name for Sauvignon Gris, a gray- to rosé-hued relative of the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Mostly abandoned in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux, where it was formerly planted with some regularity, the grape may be in the early stages of a comeback. Éric Chevalier’s version is solid proof that there is merit to the grape as a monocépage—it gives a unique, highly aromatic wine loaded with spicy and even tropical nuances. André Chatenoud of the Château de Bellevue in Lussac-Saint Emilion has also planted some in order to make a white Bordeaux, while Éric is lucky enough to have a parcel of older vines to work with.
“Also known as Sauvignon Rose, this grape variety was widely planted in the Val de Loire and Haut-Poitou regions before the phylloxera crisis, but disappeared to the great advantage of Sauvignon Blanc, its closest cousin. Nowadays, only a select few vignerons still cultivate this rare grape, with the goal of exploiting its unique aromatic properties. The parcel was destined to be torn up by its previous proprietor, who was eager to retire, but his most faithful client—a sommelier from a restaurant on the Atlantic Coast—reached out to us in order to preserve this fascinating variety. This is a wine of real character that fully expresses the intimate relationship between the cépage and its special terroir in the Pays de Retz.” - Éric Chevalier
—Chris Santini
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Sauvignon Gris |
Appellation: | Vin de Pays du Val de Loire |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Éric Chevalier |
Vineyard: | 20 years old |
Soil: | Gravel, silt/sand |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 12% |
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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 Kimmeridgian 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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2022 Chinon Blanc
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2020 Saumur Champigny “Outre Terre”
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2019 Vouvray “Bois Guyon”
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Touraine “Fines Bulles”
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2023 Saumur Champigny “Cuvée Domaine”
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2020 Saumur Blanc “Terres”
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2022 Bourgueil “Franc de Pied”
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2022 Chinon “Les Petites Roches”
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2020 Sancerre Rouge "Champs d’Alligny"
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2023 Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu sur lie “La Nöe”
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2019 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2021 Saumur Champigny “La Marginale”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2022 Chinon Blanc
Bernard Baudry France | Loire
2020 Saumur Champigny “Outre Terre”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2019 Vouvray “Bois Guyon”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
Touraine “Fines Bulles”
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire
2023 Saumur Champigny “Cuvée Domaine”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2020 Saumur Blanc “Terres”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2022 Bourgueil “Franc de Pied”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2022 Chinon “Les Petites Roches”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2020 Sancerre Rouge "Champs d’Alligny"
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2023 Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu sur lie “La Nöe”
Eric Chevalier France | Loire
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.