Loire
HENRY PELLÉ
“Henri Pellé is Menetou-Salon’s finest producer.” Robert Parker’s Wine Buyer’s Guide, 6th edition
Known as a pioneer of the Menetou-Salon appellation, Domaine Pellé embodies its success. With 40 hectares, it is also one of the most important landowners in this small Loire Valley region located just west of Sancerre. Menetou has earned recognition as one of the best sources of refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. Pellé’s vineyards are located in the prime growing areas around the village of Morogues, thereby yielding wines of superior concentration, minerality and brisk acidity.
DOMAINE DE L’ECU
“If you doubt Muscadet can be serious, taste the Muscadets de terroir from the Domaine de l’Ecu – they are fabulous!” – eRobertParker
Since his beginning in 1972, Guy Bossard has cultivated all his vineyards organically and, since 1998, is certified by Demeter with all his 22 hectares of vines. “I can only express the different soils of our vineyards when I work the soils,” he says. As his successor, to whom he “will transfer the reigns slowly over several years,” he chose Fred, a former information technologist who changed his life, but not his passion for great wines. As member of the group “Renaissance des Appellations,” Guy and Fred aim “to restore the reputation of the vineyards of the Nantes region.” “We produce dry white wines for keeping, which are at the same time crystal clear, of a great purity and impressed with an exacerbated minerality,” they sum up their goals.
PIERRE LUNEAU-PAPIN
“If you doubt Muscadet can be serious, taste the Muscadets de terroir from the Domaine de l’Ecu – they are fabulous!” – eRobertParker
Since his beginning in 1972, Guy Bossard has cultivated all his vineyards organically and, since 1998, is certified by Demeter with all his 22 hectares of vines. “I can only express the different soils of our vineyards when I work the soils,” he says. As his successor, to whom he “will transfer the reigns slowly over several years,” he chose Fred, a former information technologist who changed his life, but not his passion for great wines. As member of the group “Renaissance des Appellations,” Guy and Fred aim “to restore the reputation of the vineyards of the Nantes region.” “We produce dry white wines for keeping, which are at the same time crystal clear, of a great purity and impressed with an exacerbated minerality,” they sum up their goals.
THIERRY GERMAIN
Domaine des Roches Neuves has become a benchmark producer from this tiny winemaking region of Saumur-Champigny, harvesting completely by hand in over 30 parcels, all of which are vinified separately. While yields of most properties average upwards of 60 hectoliters per hectare, Roches Neuves averages just shy of 30, with some bottlings as low as 15. The difference in flavor, color, ageability, and complexity is enormous. By farming biodynamically and using only limited amount of natural fertilizers, Thierry is able to “manage” what are, in essence, “wild” vines which produce miniscule amounts of fruit. While others are pumping as much synthetic fertilizer into their vineyard as possible to reach the highest potential yields, Thierry Germain is going the other direction, using his compost only when necessary, and asking the vines to suffer to produce much, much less fruit. The end results are stunning.