Cheverny "Argilo" (White) 2018

This is a blend of 80-85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15-20% Menu Pineau (Orbois). Bruised apple, ripe pear and honey on the nose, with dried lemon peel and stone fruits on the palate. Old vines, low yields and malolactic fermentation give this wine intensity and complexity. This is a big, full body white, with 14.5 % alcohol and a long finish. 

Story: Domaine de Veilloux is a small estate in a quiet part to the Loire Valley near Cheverny. It has been a family owned the estate since the French Revolution, and was taken over by Michel and Sylviane Quenioux in 1994. Michel, a firm believer in the health and environmental benefits of organic and biodynamic farming, implemented these practices from the start and obtained their certification in 1998. The domaine now includes just over 25 hectares, all of which are grown using sustainable, organic methods. The domaine has 3.5 hectares of Orbois (Menu Pineau), which may be the largest single planting in the world of this rare grape. Michel makes three cuvées which blend varying percentages of Orbois with Sauvignon Blanc.

Vinification: Thirty to forty year-old vnes grown on muddy clay and limestone soils, with a very high percentage of clay. Grapes are hand harvested at low 20 to 30 hl/ha yields. The grapes are pressed and both are aged separately for one year in old oak barrels made from wood that comes from the region. The wines undergo malolactic fermentation and are blended in concrete/clay vats for three months. The wine is aged one year in old oak barrels made from wood that comes from the region, then bottled with no fining and a light filtration.

Match it with: Smoked salmon, roast chicken with feta, mild cheese.