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2019 Saumur-Champigny “Terres Chaudes”

Thierry Germain
Discount Eligible $48.00
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Since he moved to Saumur from Saint-Émilion in the 1990s at the age of twenty-three, Thierry Germain has been on a fanatical mission to bring the Loire Valley its deserved acclaim alongside Burgundy and his native land as one of the great wine regions of the world. Early in his career, Thierry studied under the legendary Foucault brothers of Clos Rougeard, who made a bottling from the lieu-dit Les Poyeux. Having acquired his own vines of Les Poyeux, Thierry continues to capture the essence of its tuffeau-limestone terroir in his own Terres Chaudes bottling.
       He farms the Cabernet Franc grapes biodynamically, de-stems them, ferments them in cement, and ages them on their lees in large foudres for one year. The result? Thierry’s reds, in general, might be the most elegant of our Loire Valley reds, and this one is no exception. Deceptively plush red and black fruit give way to grippy tannins, suggesting a long life ahead. It is perfect alongside heartier fare as well as a thrill to drink and decipher on its own.

Tom Wolf


Technical Information
Wine Type: red
Vintage: 2019
Bottle Size: 750mL
Blend: Cabernet Franc
Appellation: Saumur-Champigny
Country: France
Region: Loire
Producer: Thierry Germain
Winemaker: Thierry Germain
Vineyard: 45 years, 4 ha
Soil: Clay, Tuffeau Limestone
Aging: Aged on fine lees in 6000L or 1200L foudre for 12 months
Farming: Biodynamic (certified)
Alcohol: 13.5%

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About The Region

Loire

map of 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.

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