2022 ChevernyDomaine du Salvard
France | Loire
$22
Producers
Catherine and Pierre Breton’s son, Paul, has set up his own cellar in Vouvray, about thirty miles upriver of the family's headquarters in the Bourgueil appellation. He focuses exclusively on whites, and this festive pet-nat is new addition to the Breton lineup conceived and executed entirely by Paul. This is delicious and honest naturally sparkling Chenin, bottled with no dosage and no sulfur.
Wine Type: | sparkling |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chenin Blanc |
Appellation: | Vin de France |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Winemaker: | Paul Breton |
Vineyard: | Planted around 1960, 1 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Siliceous |
Aging: | Aged 11 months on lees |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 10.5% |
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Vouvray
6-Bottle Sampler France | Loire
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgeuil
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Vouvray
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Chinon
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Val de 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.
Champalou France | Loire | Vouvray
Daniel Chotard France | Loire | Sancerre
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur
Château d’Épiré France | Loire | Savennières
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur-Champigny
Éric Chevalier France | Loire | Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur-Champigny
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur Champigny
Domaine de Reuilly France | Loire | Reuilly
Champalou France | Loire | Vouvray
Every three or four months I would send my clients a cheaply made list of my inventory, but it began to dawn on me that business did not pick up afterwards. It occurred to me that my clientele might not know what Château Grillet is, either. One month in 1974 I had an especially esoteric collection of wines arriving, so I decided to put a short explanation about each wine into my price list, to try and let my clients know what to expect when they uncorked a bottle. The day after I mailed that brochure, people showed up at the shop, and that is how these little propaganda pieces for fine wine were born.—Kermit Lynch
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