2022 ChevernyDomaine du Salvard
France | Loire
$22
Producers
As we enter my favorite time of the year to eat oysters, I’m filling my fridge with more and more crisp, zesty whites like this Sauvignon Blanc from Domaine du Salvard. West of Sancerre in the Loire Valley, the Delaille brothers work wonders in some of the region’s unsung vineyard land, turning out pure, delicious, and versatile blancs that go as well with fresh seafood as they do with salads or a cheese board.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Sauvignon Blanc |
Appellation: | Val de Loire IGP |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Domaine du Salvard |
Winemaker: | Emmanuel & Thierry Delaille |
Vineyard: | 22 years, 8 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Sand |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 12.0% |
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire | Val de Loire IGP
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur Champigny
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire | Vin de France
Champalou France | Loire | Vouvray
Château d’Épiré France | Loire | Savennières
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.
Daniel Chotard France | Loire | Sancerre
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur-Champigny
Château d’Épiré France | Loire | Savennières
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire | Vin de France
Champalou France | Loire | Vouvray
Daniel Chotard France | Loire | Sancerre
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire | Vin de France
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgueil
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Val de Loire
Domaine de Reuilly France | Loire | Reuilly
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire | Val de Loire IGP
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
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