Description
Thierry Germain made the move away from the Gironde to the Loire Valley in 1991, taking possession of Domaine des Roches Neuves in Varrains, just on the outskirts of Saumur. The vineyard is worked in a natural way -3 horses help- with the goal of keeping the vine and the soil at its healthiest, and is fully biodynamic since the 2005 vintage. The harvest is manual, selecting grapes at their very ripest level. Vinification is handled in small batches then bottling unfined and unfiltered. Germain has garnered praise in the European press for his exciting wines, which are always filled with ripe, generous fruit and supple textures.
The Insolite is superbly ripe, well balanced Loire Chenin Blanc. The plot of vines for this wine is 85 years old and the grape are harvested in several session to ensure they’re all at the ideal level if ripeness. After fermentation in foudres it’s aged on its lees for a further 12 months during which time subtly honeyed flavours and aromas develop which sit perfectly with the crisp acidity.
Tasting Notes
The Insolite is a magnificent white Saumur (100% Chenin Blanc) with freshness and incomparable purity. Elegance is pegged to the body – it opens on a nose of white fruit that precedes a lively mouth and tense salivating final. The whole is really irresistible and carried by a fine natural acidity. Bettane & Desseauve: “We have a beautiful maturity carried by a mineral spine.”
