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2021 Val de Loire Blanc “Cirrus”
Éric Chevalier
Fié Gris (also known as Sauvignon Gris), the rare and more herbaceous relative of Sauvignon Blanc, finds a happy expression in Eric Chevalier’s ocean-neighboring vineyards of the Pays Nantais. His Cirrus bottling takes a playful approach to the variety with a skin maceration that teases out depth to its aromatic qualities: fresh guava and (not to be overly-specific, but) the white milky sap from the stem of a young fig. Light tannins and distinct salinity make this a perfect candidate for aperitif hour with classic accompaniments—oil-cured olives, soft cheeses, and anchovies.
—Allyson Noman
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Fié Gris |
Appellation: | IGP Val de Loire |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Éric Chevalier |
Vineyard: | 20 years old |
Aging: | Raised in both stainless steel and 450L barrels for 18 months |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region

2020 Vin de France Rosé Grolleau/Cabernet Franc “Les Arceaux”
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Intensely dry and mineral, the structured Les Arceaux is a bottle to pair with a meal rather than to drink as an apéritif.

2020 Saumur Champigny “Outre Terre”
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Outre Terre is a tiny production of Cabernet Franc fermented in amphora and aged in barrel.

2022 Jasnières “Dyane”
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Juicy and open-knit, it mirrors the sensation of biting into fleshy slices of white peach, nectarine, and guava.

2021 Chinon “Le Clos Guillot”
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2020 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
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Chinons from Joguet are known for their firm minerality, but this one is quite charming as well, with plummy black fruit, myrtle, and notes of warm licorice.

2023 Sancerre
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An intense exotic nose lures you in before the minerality channels the lightning energy of this pure Sauvignon Blanc.

2024 Bourgueil Rosé “La Ritournelle”
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2021 Chinon “Les Petites Roches”
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2020 Saumur Champigny “Clos de l’Échelier”
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2019 Vin de France Rouge Grolleau/Cabernet Franc “Clandestine”
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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
2023 Savennières “Cuvée Spéciale”
Château d’Epiré France | Loire
2023 Saumur Blanc “L’Insolite”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2020 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2022 Bourgueil “Franc de Pied”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2023 Vouvray “Pierres Rousses”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2023 Coteaux du Loir Blanc
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2022 Sancerre Rouge
Domaine Hippolyte Reverdy France | Loire
2021 Saumur-Champigny “Les Mémoires”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2022 Chinon “Beaux Monts”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2023 Sancerre
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2020 Vin de France Rosé Grolleau/Cabernet Franc “Les Arceaux”
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire
2021 Chinon Blanc “Les Charmes”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2023 Savennières “Cuvée Spéciale”
Château d’Epiré France | Loire
2023 Saumur Blanc “L’Insolite”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2020 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2022 Bourgueil “Franc de Pied”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2023 Vouvray “Pierres Rousses”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2023 Coteaux du Loir Blanc
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2022 Sancerre Rouge
Domaine Hippolyte Reverdy France | Loire
2021 Saumur-Champigny “Les Mémoires”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2022 Chinon “Beaux Monts”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2023 Sancerre
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2020 Vin de France Rosé Grolleau/Cabernet Franc “Les Arceaux”
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire
2021 Chinon Blanc “Les Charmes”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174