Domaine Moly

Domaine Moly is located in Distré, five kilometres south of Saumur. Etienne Moly’s dream was to become a vigneron – he just needed the right place and vines. It was his acquaintance with Romain Guiberteau (of Domaine Guiberteau in Saumur) that pushed him, finally, in 2020 to settle in Distré with his family.

Etienne worked under Romain for a couple of years to learn all there is to know about Saumur’s terroir before officially launching his own project. Etienne’s wife, Aurelia, is also very involved in the project. They bought their first two and a half hectares in 2021, which soon became four hectares—two-thirds owned outright and one-third in fermage (tenanted).

With vines in some of the best Saumurois land, including Brézé, Etienne has four cuvées under his belt. His entry-level red Saumur is La Nomade, and his Saumur-Champigny labels are Les Sybarites and Alter Sybarites. Alter Sybarite undergoes 12 extra months of ageing compared to the straight Sybarites. All fermentations are with natural yeast, and wines are aged in large 400-litre barrels. There is very little to no new wood to retain fruit freshness and expression.

These are wines of great purity and fruit precision, making for a perfect Saumur representation. Etienne also produces a stunning Saumur Blanc, Le Bruit, which currently includes his Brézé plantings before they are to become their own cuvée.

Saumur Rouge

Saumur is situated along the Loire River in the Anjou-Saumur subregion of the larger Loire Valley. It is mainly known for its red wines from Cabernet Franc, which display a range of flavours, from red and black fruit to herbal and earthy notes. In some cases, small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon or other red grape varieties may be blended in.

The region's terroir, including its soil composition and climate, plays a significant role in shaping the character of Saumur Rouge wines. The soils can vary from limestone to tuffeau, a chalky limestone, which contributes to the mineral qualities often found in the wines.

Saumur Rouge wines can be characterised by their vibrant acidity, moderate tannins, and a profile that can include red fruit flavours, such as raspberry and cherry, along with herbal and spicy notes. The wines are typically medium-bodied and can be enjoyed relatively young, though some versions benefit from ageing. They pair well with a variety of dishes. Given their moderate tannins and bright acidity, they can complement a range of foods, including roasted meats, poultry, and dishes with herbs and spices. The versatility of the wines makes them suitable for different culinary experiences.

While Saumur Rouge is known for its red wines, the broader Saumur appellation also produces sparkling wines, particularly from the Chenin Blanc grape. These sparkling wines can range from dry to sweet and are often referred to as Saumur Brut or Saumur Mousseux.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is widely planted in Bordeaux and is the most important black grape grown in the Loire. In the Médoc it may constitute up to 15% of a typical vineyard - it is always blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and is used to add bouquet and complexity to the wines. It is more widely used in St.Emilion where it adapts well to the cooler and moister clay soils - Cheval Blanc is the most famous Cabernet Franc wine in the world, with the final blend consisting of up to 65% of the grape.

Cabernet Franc thrives in the Loire where the cooler growing conditions serve to accentuate the grape's herbaceous, grassy, lead pencil aromas. The best wines come from the tuffeaux limestone slopes of Chinon and Bourgeil where growers such as Jacky Blot produce intense well-structured wines that possess excellent cellaring potential.