About this WINE
Domaine des Forges
Third generation Claude and his son, Stéphane Branchereau at Domaine des Forges, aim to make sweet Chenin Blancs that are rich, pure and quivering with energy. This they manage not only because of their enormous talent but also thanks to steep, schistous slopes, fastidious vineyard work, harvesting by tri, low yields (rarely above 25 hectolitres per hectare) and vinifying the wines parcel by parcel.
Such is the concentration and freshness of fruit obtained in their wines, that they cope easily with up to 50% new oak, albeit in large 450 litre barrels. 'Quelle réussite!', as they would say.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon is a famous Anjou appellation responsible for France’s finest sweet Chenin Blanc wines, grown on ancient schistous rock. Three of its sub-regions – Bonnezeaux, Quarts de Chaume, and Coteaux du Layon Chaume – have graduated to full appellation, such is the consistently fine quality of their wines. Other villages, such as St Aubin-de-Luigné can attach their name to that of Coteaux du Layon.
Depending on the year, the Chenin Blanc fruit is affected (as in Sauternes) by noble rot/botrytis cinerea to a greater or lesser degree, concentrating the sugars and building complexity in the fruit. The grapes are then hand harvested by trie (several passages) before being vinified and aged in French barriques, whilst retaining notable levels of residual sugar.
Domaine du Petit Val and Domaine des Forges are fine sources.
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.
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