2022 ChevernyDomaine du Salvard
France | Loire
$22
Producers
Much credence is given to wines bearing the name vieilles vignes, “old vines,” or, in Italian, vigne vecchie. But what about young vines? Do they not have merit? What makes the Franc de Pied most delicious is its youthfulness (twelve-year-old vines!). Serve it with a slight chill, and you’ll have a satisfyingly fresh red with medium fruit and a light dusting of herbs and tannin.
—Clark Z. Terry
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2020 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Cabernet Franc |
Appellation: | Bourgueil |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Winemaker: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Vineyard: | 12 years, .17 ha |
Soil: | Gravelly Sand |
Aging: | The wine is bottled after a year in stainless steel, unfiltered, in the early fall before harvest |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 12.5% |
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Vouvray
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgueil
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Chinon
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgeuil
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Vouvray
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Vouvray
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.
Hippolyte Reverdy France | Loire | Sancerre
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Vouvray
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire | Vin de France
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire | Vin de France
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur-Champigny
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur
Château d’Épiré France | Loire | Savennières
Champalou France | Loire | Vouvray
Trust the great winemakers, trust the great vineyards. Your wine merchant might even be trustworthy. In the long run, that vintage strip may be the least important guide to quality on your bottle of wine.—Kermit Lynch
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