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NV Vouvray Brut “La Dilettante”
Catherine & Pierre BretonSome call this playful Champagne-method sparkler a “porch-pounder,” but since you may be socializing in other outdoor spaces this summer, I would add “rooftop-rouser” or “garden-guzzler.” Catherine’s Dilettante line of Vouvrays, clearly coaxed to life by the hand of a hedonist, expresses the most joyful side of Chenin Blanc. Try whetting your appetite with this festive bottling before a party, or pop it open as the last bottle of the night, just before the sun comes up.
—Jane Berg
Jennifer's Pick
Any cheese’s best friend, this bright and vivacious Chenin Blanc has celebration as its raison d’etre.
Wine Type: | sparkling |
Vintage: | N.V. |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chenin Blanc |
Appellation: | Vouvray |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Winemaker: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Vineyard: | 40 years, 5 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | Wine is raised for a minimum of 12 months before bottling and a minimum of 11 months after. |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 12% |
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Dry Champagne-method sparkler that delivers tremendous value.
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About The Producer
Catherine & Pierre Breton
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 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.
More from Loire or France
2022 Anjou Rouge “Clos de la Cerisaie”
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2022 Vouvray “Les Fondraux”
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2020 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
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2020 Saumur Champigny “Clos de l’Échelier”
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2022 Chardonnay
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2022 Saumur Champigny “La Foulée”
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2020 Chinon “Le Clos Guillot”
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2022 Bourgueil Rosé “La Ritournelle”
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2022 Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc “Unique”
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2022 Anjou Rouge “Clos de la Cerisaie”
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2020 Saumur Blanc “L’Insolite”
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1989 Vouvray “Bois Guyon”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2022 Vouvray “Les Fondraux”
Champalou France | Loire
2020 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2020 Saumur Champigny “Clos de l’Échelier”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2022 Chardonnay
Eric Chevalier France | Loire
2022 Saumur Champigny “La Foulée”
Domaine des Roches Neuves France | Loire
2021 Chinon “Cuvée Terroir”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2020 Chinon “Le Clos Guillot”
Bernard Baudry France | Loire
2022 Bourgueil Rosé “La Ritournelle”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2022 Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc “Unique”
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
If you're looking for value, look where no one else is looking.
Inspiring Thirst, page 211