2022 ChevernyDomaine du Salvard
France | Loire
$22
Producers
by Tom Wolf
Just Arrived: The 2021 Vintage from Domaine du Salvard
“Cheverny is in the Touraine, in the Loire, in the country of those incredible chateaux. This is Sauvignon Blanc territory, unbeatable for its freshness, its floral and fruit bouquet, its zest and lightness. Nowhere else, even at Sancerre, will you find such a little jewel.” —Kermit Lynch, June 1997 Newsletter
While not untrue, calling Cheverny a value alternative to Sancerre would completely overlook the virtues unique to this appellation. It is a much zippier expression of Sauvignon Blanc compared to its famous neighbor, more citrusy than grassy. When Kermit introduced this wine in July 1993, he said, “Salvard makes the most drinkable, quaffable Sauvignon Blanc I have ever tasted.”
Thierry and Emmanuel Delaille of Domaine du Salvard specialize in crisp, mouthwatering Sauvignon Blanc, but for this cuvée, they add a splash of Chardonnay, which brings complexity, flesh, and notes of Meyer lemon and orchard fruit. The base of Sauvignon Blanc, meanwhile, provides freshness and liveliness as well as its characteristic flavors of passion fruit and lime zest. The two grape varieties combine for outstanding versatility, such that this bottle will serve you well alongside all kinds of seasonal spring fare.
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Chardonnay |
Appellation: | Cheverny |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Domaine du Salvard |
Winemaker: | Emmanuel & Thierry Delaille |
Vineyard: | 10 - 65 years |
Soil: | Chalk, Limestone, Sand |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 12.5% |
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire | Val de Loire IGP
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgueil
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur Champigny
Charles Joguet France | Loire | Chinon
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.
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur
Daniel Chotard France | Loire | Sancerre
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgeuil
Éric Chevalier France | Loire | Vin de Pays du Val de Loire
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur-Champigny
Daniel Chotard France | Loire | Sancerre
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire | Vin de France
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire | Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur
Bernard Baudry France | Loire | Chinon
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgueil
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236
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