2022 ChevernyDomaine du Salvard
France | Loire
$22
Producers
I have had some amazing Les Perrières over the years—the 1997 and 1989 stand out—and I think that in time this 2017 will rank among them, but greatness was not my first impression. The first pour was surprisingly stingy, the wine closed off. The night was young, however, so I left the bottle alone while I prepared dinner. When I returned to the glass an hour later, the wine had begun, almost imperceptibly, to open up: the tannins softening, the greenness giving way to red fruit, beautiful earthy, spicy aromas rising from the glass. The change was remarkable. This continued over the course of the evening as the wine blossomed like a fragrant, kaleidoscopic tropical flower.
—Dustin Soiseth
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Cabernet Franc |
Appellation: | Bourgueil |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Winemaker: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
6-Bottle Sampler France | Loire
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgueil
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Vouvray
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgueil
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgueil
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Val de 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.
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgueil
Daniel Chotard France | Loire | Sancerre
Charles Joguet France | Loire | Chinon
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgueil
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire | Bourgueil
Hippolyte Reverdy France | Loire | Sancerre
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur
Domaine Michel Brégeon France | Loire | Muscadet
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire | Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur
Château d’Épiré France | Loire | Savennières
Château d’Épiré France | Loire | Savennières
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. 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.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171
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