Producer: Domaine Sourdais-Taveau
Wine: 2020 Chinon Red
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Franc
Pairings: Rillettes, poultry and fresh goat cheese
Cellaring: Drink now
DOMAINE SOURDAIS-TAVEAU
Cravant-les-Coteaux, Loire
This family-owned, picturesque estate in the Loire village of Cravant-les-Coteaux in the appellation of Chinon works about 100 acres of vines in 5 single vineyards with clay/sand and clay/limestone soils. It was created in the 1850s. Three quarters of the vineyards are on slopes and hilltops and one quarter in the flat lands of the valley with vines from 40 to 80 years old. The numerous small parcels are all vinified separately so they can produce a range of styles. The cellars are in caves cut into the hillside (Troglodytes).
They follow the philosophy of lutte raisonnee (responsible farming). Natural winemaking with natural yeast and low levels of sulphur produces wines with great purity of fruit and lovely aromatics. Elevage is done in stainless steel for the Chinon red and rose' to offer a more forward and lush style with bright fruit and soft tannic structure.
The Chinon appellation encompasses 26 communes on both sides of the Vienne up to the point where it joins the Loire. AOP/AOC by decree dated July 31, 1937 and amended on August 17, 2016.
Over the years, the Royal Fortress of Chinon overlooking the Vienne has played host to countless kings and princes, from the Plantagenets to Richelieu. In 1429, Charles VII received Joan of Arc here; her mission was to convince him to reconquer the Kingdom of France. François Rabelais was born here, and the appellation closely follows the boundaries of La Rabelaisie, the mythical land of Pantagruel and Gargantua. Chinon is popular with visitors who flock to see this Rabelaisian vision etched into Chinon’s architecture and landscapes.
Information by: Wines of Loire Valley
