From: Anjou, Loire Valley, France
Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
Tasting Notes: Combining the fresh acidity of the “Anjou Blanc” limestone with the flinty, mouth-coating richness of the “Anjou Noir,” this wine offers a beautiful composite picture of Anjou as a whole, with honeyed notes of apricot giving way to a tangy mineral finish. Fresh lemon blossom and honey nose, with juicy white peach, lime, and slate on the palate. Beware of serving it too cold, though, or you’ll miss out on some of its subtleties.
Pairing: Quickly sauteed asparagus with beurre blanc topped with a poached egg would be heavenly. Sweet and sour pork or pad thai with a slight tang of tamarind would also be delicious. We also adore this wine with mild curries, grilled chicken dishes, and Shrimp Dumplings with Saffron Shallot Sauce (check it out below!). This is a classic “bistro” wine, so anything from a fresh goat cheese salad or fish in cream sauce would be appropriate.
Shrimp Dumplings With Saffron Shallot Sauce
Recipe from Shamim Popal, adapted by Korsha Wilson
About. Geographically, Anjou is divided into two dominant profiles, based on soil types. The first, known as “Anjou Blanc,” lies toward the west of the appellation, where chalky limestone soils impart a lighter, more energetic expression of Chenin. Then there’s “Anjou Noir,” referring to the dark volcanic schist soils of the easternmost edge of the Massif Armorican, where Chenin assumes a richer, more full-bodied character. Sourced from vineyards that fall exactly along the border of Anjou’s two sub-regions, this gorgeously subtle expression from fourth-generation winemaker Pascal Biotteau comes from the village of Saint-Jean-de-Mauvrets, situated on the old Roman road from Angers to Poitiers.
2023 Vintage Notes. A very different year from 2022! After the spring frosts, the sun was long in coming, and the end of spring was marked by a lot of rain and humidity. No drought to deplore this year, but excess humidity throughout the year, and until the harvest. Diseases (mildew and powdery mildew) set in very early in the vines, the result of a cool and humid summer.
The 2023 harvests were marked by a lot of loss of grapes, due to rot (acetic pitting), linked to excess humidity. For wines, the 2023 vintage is fresher than the previous year, with less alcohol concentration.
The aroma is rather floral and very fresh, with a nice balance. For reds, the tannins are more supple and the aromas are finer and more delicate.
