Blend: Pinot Noir
From: Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
Taste: The Reverdy Sancerre Rosé is a dry, elegant, subtle, and delicious wine. Sleek and concentrated, with vivid aromas of gorgeously fresh red fruits like strawberry and raspberry. These berry-forward notes meet and evolve alongside citrus blossoms, blood orange, and white stone fruits that open to the Reverdy calling card: suave, chalky minerals adding an additional dimension to the wine. Crisp flavors of red cherries, red currant, strawberry, fresh herb, floral pastille, and orange zest all balance beautifully on the palate, finishing with a lingering note of minerality.
Pairing: Salads, asparagus mimosa salads, picnic fare (our favorite is to enjoy this with pâté baguette or jambon beurre sandwiches), seafood such as ceviche (shrimp, scallops, a mix), white fish with citrus and mango salsa as tacos, fried seafood, and any assortment that includes roast poultry. For today’s purposes, we’re leaning into snacking fare with this delicious recipe for Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken with Fried Basil by Sue Li for the NYT.
About. Pascal Reverdy’s domaine is based in the tiny hamlet of Maimbray. Maimbray is located in a valley surrounded by chalk hills adjacent to Chavignol and Verdigny. From their small cellar they produce one of France’s most highly awarded Sancerres.
The Reverdy’s are highly accomplished viticulturists. They take great pride in their vineyards and they make it clear that the quality of the fruit comes from constant work and attention to every detail in the vineyard throughout the year. The Terre de Maimbray bottlings are assembled from hillside plots of 30-60 year old vines. Yields are restricted and fruit is hand harvested. Each plot is fermented separately, and the cellar is well equipped with the option of stainless steel or wood for the fermentation and, naturally, temperature control to preserve the freshness that characterises the white wines of the region. All the wines rest on their lees over the winter before bottling the following spring.
The Reverdy's reputation concerns both red (Pinot Noir) and white (Sauvignon Blanc) cuvées, but this bottle comes from their tiny production of rosé of Pinot Noir. These are wines of richness, depth, and sophistication - but don't let that stop your enjoyment of this oh-so-slurpable wine!
