2022 ChevernyDomaine du Salvard
France | Loire
$22
Producers
A wine of serious density from north-facing vines planted in the 1930s, only starting to express its full potential. It provides savory sensations highlighted by licorice, mint, and spice, culminating in a majestic tannin. Highly recommended for the cellar, as old vintages of La Dioterie are nothing short of epic.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Cabernet Franc |
Appellation: | Chinon |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Charles Joguet |
Winemaker: | Kevin Fontaine |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1930 to 1940, 2.22 ha |
Soil: | White Limestone, Clay |
Aging: | Prolonged aging in 1-3 year-old barrels for 12-15 months |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
Charles Joguet France | Loire | Chinon
Charles Joguet France | Loire | Chinon
Charles Joguet France | Loire | Chinon
Charles Joguet France | Loire | Chinon
Charles Joguet France | Loire | Chinon
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.
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgueil
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Val de Loire
Bernard Baudry France | Loire | Chinon
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire | Vin de France
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire | Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil
Daniel Chotard France | Loire | Sancerre
Éric Chevalier France | Loire | Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu
6-Bottle Sampler France | Loire
Daniel Chotard France | Loire | Sancerre
Charles Joguet France | Loire | Chinon
Hippolyte Reverdy France | Loire | Sancerre
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
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