🕯️ Chenin Blanc: The Luminous Shape-Shifter of the Loire
While many white grapes are defined by a single, predictable character, Chenin Blanc is the ultimate chameleon of the wine world, a variety capable of expressing every vinous emotion from bone-dry tension to honeyed decadence. In the cool, northern fringes of the Loire Valley, this grape finds its most radical and luminous expression through a winemaking process that prioritizes elemental purity and the agonizingly slow passage of time.
🍇 The Rebirth of Pineau d'Aunis: The Loire's Peppery, Ancient Red
The Pineau d'Aunis grape is enjoying a dramatic resurgence, championed by pioneering natural winemakers like Jean-Pierre Robinot. Once a dominant red grape in the Loire Valley, Pineau d'Aunis faded into obscurity but is now celebrated by sommeliers and collectors for its unique structural profile, signature white pepper notes, and vibrant acidity.
Grape Varieties: Merlot
Merlot has earned its place in the pantheon of great grapes. The most famous Merlots hail from Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, such as the legendary Château Pétrus.
Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is the most prominent and famous aromatic white variety. It’s origin is in Loire and Bordeaux but it found a new home all across the world, showing many kinds of aromatic profiles depending on the terroir and the winemaker’s techniques.
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