Savennieres,ClosduPapillon2024DomainedesForges

The village of Savennières is situated on the north bank of the Loire, about 8 km. from St. Aubin. The Clos du Papillon (with the exception of the Rocke aux Moines) is the village’s top vineyard, planted on a steep, stony, south-westerly facing hillside.

This is a minerally, clearly-defined, dry Chenin Blanc which has been picked at peak maturity and after a long fermentation, is aged in 400-litre barrels. Try it with blanquette de veau or poulet (sauce crème) et champignons!

2024 �13% abv

DOMAINE des FORGESSince 1890, the historic 50-hectare family domaine has been owned and run by five generations of the Brancherau family. Today, Stéphane and his wife, Séverine, are in charge and are gaining a reputation for producing some exceptional wines, from their 28 hectares of Chenin Blanc. The property is situated in the iconic village of Saint-Aubin de Luigné (also known as la Perle du Layon), about 20 kilometres from Angers. Stéphane is an astute wine-maker and vigneron, with a clear understanding of the complicated patchwork of differing terroirs to be found in this beautiful region. These range from schist to carboniferous soils, where differing styles of Chenin Blanc are concentrated. The vineyards are cultivated using environmentally sustainable methods and are the Branchereaus are gradually moving towards organic and biodynamic conversion. This is an intriguing and thought-provoking collection of Chenin Blanc, incorporating a wide range of styles.