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2021 Chinon Blanc “Les Charmes”
Charles Joguet
This blanc from Chinon may be the rare bird in a land planted mostly to rouge, but that’s not what makes Les Charmes exceptional; it’s the care. From vines situated in clay and limestone soil, to a long and cold fermentation that coaxes out a wealth of aromas—green apple skin, candied lemon rind, even nips of ginger—to the amount of time the wine spends aging and developing before release (2021 is the current vintage, where most current blancs are on 2023). It’s bright and zesty, but a whiff of clarified butter emerges now and again to do what butter does best: enhance and make it even more savory.
—Allyson Noman
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chenin Blanc |
Appellation: | Chinon |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Charles Joguet |
Winemaker: | Kevin Fontaine |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1994 to 1999, 3 ha |
Soil: | Limestone, clay |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
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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.
About The Producer
Charles Joguet
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 Kimmeridgian 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.
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2023 Reuilly Pinot Noir
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2023 Sancerre Rouge “Le Chant de l’Archet”
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2021 Bourgueil “Clos Sénéchal”
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2021 Bourgueil “La Dilettante”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2024 Vin de France Brut Nature “Elle est pas bulle la vie?”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2024 Saumur Champigny “Cuvée Domaine”
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2020 Saumur Champigny “La Marginale”
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2024 Sancerre Rosé
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Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
A good doctor prescribed the wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges to the Sun King, Louis XIV, when he suffered an unknown maladie. When the king’s health was restored the tasty remedy enjoyed a vogue at court. Lord, send me a doctor like that!
Inspiring Thirst, page 117