2022 Domaine des Sables Verts - Saumur Blanc (750ml)

Domaine des Sables Verts is the work of Caroline Meurée and Hervé Malinge, a young couple who met while studying in Bordeaux and, despite having no roots in the Loire, purchased this Saumur-Champigny estate in 2019. The domaine takes its name from the green sand, or "sables verts," found within its soils. Across sixteen hectares spanning five communes, the couple farms organically, with the vast majority planted to Cabernet Franc and a single hectare reserved for Chenin Blanc.

That lone Chenin Blanc parcel, sourced from thirty-year-old vines across the Bonneveaux, Perruchers, and Elettes plots, grows on deep clay-limestone soils rich in tuffeau and green sand. The grapes are hand harvested and gently pressed, then fermented with native yeasts partly in lightly toasted barrels and partly in stainless steel, with regular stirring of the lees to build texture before the two batches are blended and bottled.

The wine offers fresh aromas of green apple, pear, and white flowers, underscored by a subtle mineral edge. The palate is lively and refreshing, with bright acidity balanced by a gentle hint of honey on the finish. Pair it with grilled prawns, roast pork, or creamy brie.