Touraine: the heart of the Loire Valley, home of the great châteaux, and the garden of France. This region’s range of climates and diversity of soils are a treasure trove for the winelover. On the left bank of the Loire’s tributary river Cher, not far from the stunning Château de Chenonceau, lie the vineyards of our vigneron Luc Poullain. Vines up to 70 years old grow on complex soils of sandy siliceous clay and limestone, sustainably farmed with lush grasses growing between the rows. Our Touraine is a sublimely grassy, citrussy expression of its terroir, nuanced and invigorating.
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Wine Description
Reviews and Scores:
90 Points (2020 vintage review) – Wine Enthusiast, February/March Issue 2024
Ah, Touraine – the heart of the Loire Valley, the garden of France! This diverse region spans from a moderate maritime climate tempered by the Atlantic in the west to a cold Continental climate at its easternmost edge. The sheer multiplicity of soils is a treasure trove for the winelover, ranging from clay and sand to gravel and Tuffeau. It is the soft, chalky Tuffeau that is the source of the famous châteaux in this region: it is easy to quarry, making room for great underground wine cellars and providing material to build the breathtaking castles for which Touraine is celebrated. Once the homes of French aristocrats, these châteaux are now summer destinations for well-to-do Parisians and tourists alike.
Although red wines are also made here, it is the white wines from Sauvignon Blanc that have brought Touraine its vinous fame. Jancis Robinson notes that “the best of these can provide a less expensive alternative to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume,” and our Touraine is truly a sublimely grassy, citrussy expression of its terroir. On the left bank of the Loire’s tributary river Cher, not far from the stunning Château de Chenonceau, lie the vineyards of Luc Poullain. Luc’s 16 hectares are planted half to red grapes and half to white, from which our Touraine comes. Vines up to 70 years old grow on complex soils of sandy siliceous clay and limestone, sustainably farmed with lush grasses growing between the rows. The domaine is HVE-certified and insecticides are never used.
Above: The vineyards; Luc Poullain
This wine is fermented in stainless steel to preserve its characteristic freshness and primary fruit, and spends up to a year on its fine lees to develop additional complexity before resting at least one month in bottle before release. A beautiful expression of Touraine which is at home on the table, but nuanced and invigorating to enjoy by itself.
Above: Grape must being tasted from a basket press; Luc Pollain in the winery with stainless steel tanks
