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2019 Vin de France “Chenin Blanc”
Pascal Janvier
Frost has been a vicious foe of vignerons across the Loire Valley in recent years. But arguably no AOC and no vintage have borne the brunt more than Jasnières in April 2019. This northernmost appellation is colder than much of the region and its relatively small Loir—no “e”—River doesn’t have as much of a temperature-moderating effect as the Loire River to the south does. Pascal Janvier, who routinely crafts exquisite Chenin Blancs in Jasnières (JAH-nee-air), was able to salvage very little Chenin that year—the bitter cold wiped out almost all of his white-wine grapes. In order to survive and make any blanc, he had to source grapes from nearby AOCs, such as Vouvray and Coteaux du Vendomois; hence, this cuvée bears the “Vin de France” label. Even though Pascal’s loss of his Chenin Blanc in Jasnières in 2019 was tragic, he nevertheless turned out a wonderful white wine. This bottling bears his trademark notes of green apple, citrus, and flint. Pascal’s pairing recommendation? “Charcuterie,” says the butcher-turned-vigneron.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chenin Blanc |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Pascal Janvier |
Winemaker: | Pascal Janvier |
Soil: | Limestone |
Aging: | Another racking takes place after fermentation, then the wines age on fine lees in stainless steel cuve for a few more months before bottling. |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region

2024 Jasnières
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2023 Chinon “Beaux Monts”
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2023 Pouilly-Fumé “Vieilles Vignes”
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About The Producer
Pascal Janvier
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.
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2022 Bourgueil “Franc de Pied”
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2021 Saumur Champigny “La Marginale”
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2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine “Réserve”
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2023 Sancerre
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2020 Saumur-Champigny “Franc de Pied”
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2019 Bourgueil “Les Perrières”
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2016 Chinon “Les Petites Roches” MAGNUM
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2017 Jasnières “Chant de Vigne”
Christine de Mianville France | Loire
2019 Vin de France Rouge Grolleau/Cabernet Franc “Clandestine”
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire
2020 Saumur Champigny “Clos de l’Échelier”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2022 Bourgueil “Franc de Pied”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2022 Quincy “Vieilles Vignes”
Domaine Trotereau France | Loire
2021 Saumur Champigny “La Marginale”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2022 Chinon Blanc
Bernard Baudry France | Loire
2022 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine “Réserve”
Domaine Michel Brégeon France | Loire
2023 Sancerre
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2020 Saumur-Champigny “Franc de Pied”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2019 Bourgueil “Les Perrières”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2016 Chinon “Les Petites Roches” MAGNUM
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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