Domaine Chotard Sancerre Blanc ‘Marcel Henri’ 2019
Type: White
Country: France
Region: Loire Valley
Grape Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol Percentage: 14%
Viticulture: Organic Farming
Climate: Semi-continental climate
Terroir: Among the oldest plots of the estate, two complement each other perfectly, Les Plates with more solar soil on limestone soil from the lower Kimmeridgian, planted by my grandfather Marcel, and Les Marnes with the cooler terroir, looking at the setting sun on marly soil
Ageing: On this long and saline wine, 20 months of ageing is necessary to synthesize the wisdom of these old vines
Color: Pale Yellow
Nose: Finesse aromas with notes of passion fruits, pears, grapefruits and minerality
Palate: Full and complex with an intense, sophisticated palate of citrus, melon and stone fruits
About the Winery:
When not organising music concerts or playing jazz piano and guitar in his own band, or fulfilling his obligations as the current president of the BIVC (Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins du Centre), Daniel Chotard makes some wine.
There have been vignerons in the Chotard family since 1789, but it was in 1992 that Daniel Chotard resumed work at the Domaine. The Domaine’s vines are situated on limestone slopes in the southwest of the region at Reigny near Crezancy-en-Sancerre, in Loire. In total, the area under vines is 15 hectares, 80% of which is planted with Sauvignon Blanc, with the remaining 20% being Pinot Noir. They farm 40 different vineyard parcels in total.
Daniel Chotard believes the terroir here is crucial in defining his wines. In the vineyard he employs the principles of lutte raisonnée, utilising organic products where and when possible and allowing grass to grow between the vines on the slopes. In the winery, he seeks to constantly maintain and improve his facilities. His aim is to produce a natural wine, true to its origins, with a fine aromatic profile.
For example, for his Sancerre Blanc, he carefully selects yeasts that will not influence the natural aromas of wine, so the mineral expression and the character of the grape variety are not disguised. Ultimately, the philosophy of this musical vigneron can be summed up with his own statement that ‘…good wine is made to bring happiness…’.
