2022 ChevernyDomaine du Salvard
France | Loire
$22
Producers
The town of Beaumes-de-Venise, in the heart of the southern Rhône, is best known for its ravishing dessert Muscat, a local specialty famously praised by Pliny the Elder. But this is Grenache territory, and Beaumes-de-Venise also produces delicious reds from these gentle, sunbaked slopes covered with garrigue. Although the town enjoys cru status in the same way as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas, its red wines are generally softer and more approachable in their youth, with surprising aging potential thanks to the significantly concentrated fruit and structure. Priced far below its prestigious neighbors, Beaumes-de-Venise also represents a fabulous value.
At Domaine de Durban, an ancient farm now run by the Leydier family, Grenache is joined by Syrah and a drop of Mourvèdre to create this delightful everyday red scented with herbes de Provence and ripe black cherry. Durban’s specialty is their ability year in and year out to make reds that are dense, full, rustic, and incredibly drinkable all at once. Aged in neutral oak, the 2020 vintage is deep and robust with soft and fuzzy tannins—the perfect companion to pozole, burgers, pizza, or grilled meats.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2020 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre |
Appellation: | Beaumes-de-Venise |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southern Rhône |
Producer: | Domaine de Durban |
Winemaker: | The Leydier Family |
Vineyard: | 47 years, 21 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone, Trias |
Aging: | Grapes are fermented in stainless steel for 15 days, wine ages in barriques, bottled unfiltered |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 15% |
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône | Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône | Gigondas
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône | Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône | Beaumes-de-Venise
Achard-Vincent France | Southern Rhône | Clairette de Die
Domaine Catherine Le Gœuil France | Southern Rhône | Cairanne
The southern Rhône valley is Grenache country. It’s also known for its stones. With a viticulture history dating back well before the Popes arrived in the 12th century and one of France’s oldest appellations d'origine contrôlée, Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe, the southern Rhône is unquestionably one of France’s best known and premier winegrowing regions. The wines have the pedigree and age-worthiness of Burgundy and Bordeaux, but with a rustic, Mediterranean character. Like most wines from southern France, the reds, whites, and rosés are blends. Filling out the Grenache for the reds and rosés, you’ll often find Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. The common white grape varieties are Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Viognier, Roussane, and Marsanne among others. From the alluvial riverbed stones found in Lirac, Tavel, and Châteauneuf to the limestone cliffs of the Dentelles de Montmirail that influence Beaumes-de-Venise (where you’ll find excellent Muscat), Vacqueyras, and Gigondas, great terroir abounds.
Kermit’s entrance in the region came in the mid 1970s on his first trip with Richard Olney, an American ex-pat and friend of Alice Waters. On that trip, Richard introduced Kermit to the Brunier family of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. Soon after, Kermit began importing the Brunier’s wines—their Châteauneuf-du-Pape “La Crau” bottling remains a staple of our portfolio today. In the late 1990s Kermit teamed up with the Brunier family to purchase the famed Gigondas estate, Domaine Les Pallières. More than 40 years later, we now import wines from fifteen southern Rhône domaines spanning the entire area of the region.
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône | Beaumes-de-Venise
Domaine le Sang des Cailloux France | Southern Rhône | Vacqueyras
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône | Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
Selected by Kermit Lynch France | Southern Rhône | Côtes du Rhône
Domaine de Durban France | Southern Rhône | Gigondas
Achard-Vincent France | Southern Rhône | Clairette de Die
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Famille Brunier France | Southern Rhône | Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
Château de Trinquevedel France | Southern Rhône | Tavel
Domaine Les Pallières France | Southern Rhône | Gigondas
Frédéric & Daniel Brunier France | Southern Rhône | Châteauneuf-du-Pape
You don’t have to be rich to cellar a great wine.
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