Saumur “L`Echelier” 2016

Serious wines are produced under the guidance of the charismatic Thierry Germain. His methods are closer to Burgundy winemaking than to the traditions of the Loire. Wine has been produced on this estate in the Saumur Champigny appellation since 1850. Germain, a representative of an old family of winemakers, arrived here in 1991 - he was attracted by the harmony between the grape varieties, climate and terroir of this region. Germain himself considers the local terroir one of the best in France. Thierry is known as an ardent adherent of the principles of biodynamics and prioritizes the health of vines and soil. The harvest here is harvested only by hand, and exclusively ripe berries. The wine is produced in small portions and bottled without clarification and filtration. Germain has earned the recognition of the European press for his exciting wines, which always stand out for their rich ripe fruit flavor and rounded texture.

Chenin Blanc may be made to any level of sweetness (from bone-dry, crisp white wine and sparkling, through to sweet wine). Often it is wines with fresh acidity and specific aromas of white flowers, honey and stone fruit.

Saumur-Champigny is a red wine appellation of Saumur in the central Loire Valley wine region of France. Created in December 1957, this location-specific title was introduced as a complement to the Saumur Rouge appellation created at the same time and under the same decree.    The grapes come from around 1,500 hectares of vineyard located within the parishes of Saumur and Souzay-Champigny and six of their immediate neighbors. Effectively this covers 15km along the southern bank of the Loire river, between Saumur to the west and Montsoreau to the east, and roughly seven kilometers north to south.   Saumur-Champigny wines are made predominantly from Cabernet Franc, with a permitted (if rarely used) addition of up to 15 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Pineau d'Aunis, sometimes called "Chenin Noir" here. The wines are typically light or medium-bodied, and characterized by crisp acidity and forward, slightly spicy, berry fruit flavors.   The terroir around Champigny is vital to the production of wines in this style and is the reason the area was singled out for its own independent appellation. A low plateau of tuffeau – the yellowish metamorphic rock so distinctive of the central Loire region – rises up at the eastern edge of Saumur town and continues almost uninterrupted for seven miles to the village of Candes Saint-Martin, just east of Montsoreau.

Loire is one of the biggest regions in Northern France. This beautiful valley that stretches more than 300 km in length has been the inspiration of poetry and art throughout the ages. The dominant grapes are different in each part of Loire, and this is the only region in France that produces equally good white, red, rose, dessert and sparkling wines.