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Paul Buisse Cremant de Loire Rosé Brut NV
Origin: Loire, France
Retail: $14.95 | Sale: $13.46
Upon his retirement in 2010, Paul Buisse sold the company to his friend, Pierre Chainier, whose family has a lengthy history of working in wine and trade dating back to 1749. Pioneers in sustainable farming, the Chainier family were among the first to employ green practices. Consequently, vineyards are maintained according to a sustainable agriculture philosophy with the overall ecosystem in mind. The vision of the Chainier family remains consistent with the mission started by their predecessors: to bring knowledge and experience to their work, embracing their love of the Loire Valley and its soil, instilling a true passion for the job as they write a new page in the history of Domaine Paul Buisse. The vineyard is situated on a plateau near the Cher and Loire rivers offering a semi-oceanic climate. The trellised vines average 40 years of age and are set in a flint and clay soil with underlying chalk that dates to the Turonien period (90-94 million years ago).
Elegant and vivacious, this sparkling rosé is a blend of Loire varietals Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Pineau d’Aunis. Beautiful aromas and flavors of juicy strawberries and raspberries with a velvety soft mousse. Best served chilled, it’s refined enough for special occasions, yet priced to be enjoyed any time.
50% Pinot Noir, 25% Cabernet Franc, 25% Pineau d’Aunis
Chateau Soucherie Rosé de Loire 2021
Origin: Loire Valley, France
Retail: $24.95 | Sale: $22.46
Four of the thirty-six hectares are situated in the prime vineyard of Chaume and then two hectares are in Savennieres in a single-vineyard known as “Clos des Perrieres”. The remaining vineyards which encircle the chateau are in the Anjou and Coteaux du Layon appellations. Soucherie is surrounded by the villages of Rochefort-sur-Loire, Beaulieu-sur-Layon and Saint Lambert du Lattay. The soils are principally limestone, clay and schist. The wine is a product of the direct press method of vinification and the elevage is in cuvee with bottling occurring usually in April. Spicy pink peppercorns and rose hips mingle with fresh red berries on the nose. The palate is crunchy red fruit and mineral driven through a long and even finish.
70% Grolleau 30% Gamay
Domaine Faillenc Sainte Marie
Rosé des Glacières 2021
Origin: Corbieres, France
Retail: $17.95 | Sale: $16.16
Faillenc Sainte Marie is a small property, with only eight hectares of vineyards stubbornly clinging to the rocky foothills of Mont Alaric. The vineyards are buffeted by the northerwesterly Tramontane wind which blows over Alaric and by the southerly Autan breezes coming off the nearby Mediterranean, creating an extremely dry climate. The terroir is composed of inhospitable, rocky limestone terraces. Only vines, olive trees and some scraggly brush survive under these harsh conditions. As a result, yields are naturally low. The grapes are strongly marked by their environment and this powerful character shows through in the wines. Jean-Baptiste Gibert, son of Dominique and Marie-Therese, has now taken command of the domaine and has taken the steps necessary to have the vineyards certified organic. He has also expanded the estate and will increase the number of wines produced at Faillenc. The rosé is made via the saignée method. The grapes, in this case 100% Syrah, go into a tank for a short period of time, usually overnight. After this short maceration period, the juice “bled” off has absorbed some of the dark purple hue that Syrah can produce. The fermentation is long and slow at controlled temperatures.
100% Syrah