2010 Coteaux de la Loire Vieille Sève, Molleux, Domaine du Fresche, A Boré

Domaine du Fresche

Located at La Pommeraye, Domaine du Fresche has been run by the Boré family for three generations and, under Alain’s Boré’s stewardship, its 30 hectares were certified organic with effect from the 2004 vintage. 

As the organic certification suggests, Alain is meticulous in the vineyard and has a deep understanding of his schistous terroir close to the river.  He uses cover crop, spur pruning and bunch-thinning to ensure low yields and de-leafs to open up the canopy to secure ripe and healthy grapes.

The domaine is planted to several grape varieties and produces the full gamut of styles from Anjou including reds made from Gamay, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as two cuveés of the rare as hens’ teeth Coteaux de la Loire sweet Chenin Blanc: Vieille Sève.

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is an important white grape variety planted in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions of the Loire Valley and the most widely planted varietal grape in South Africa.

In the Loire it produces high quality dry wines in Savenniéres, and luscious sweet, dessert wines in Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume. In Vouvray and Montlouis it can be dry, medium dry, or sweet, and still or sparkling. Whether dry or sweet, the best Loire Chenin Blancs possess marvellously concentrated rich, honeyed fruit together with refreshingly vibrant acidity. It is Chenin Blanc's high acidity that enable the wines to age so well.

In South Africa Chenin Blanc is easier to grow and is prized for its versatility. It is used as a cheap blending option with Chardonnay, Colombard, and Muscat but also bottled unblended. The best producers keep their yields low and produce impressive mouthfilling wines.