Tag Archives: Kermit Lynch Wine

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30 Days of Rosé | #11 | Emmanuel & Thierry Delaille | Cheverny Rosé | Vin de Pays du Val de Loire | 2016

30 Days of Rosé | #11 | Emmanuel & Thierry Delaille | Cheverny Rosé | Vin de Pays du Val de Loire | 2016 | $14.99

Ah wine from Cheverny… white, red, or rosé, is a rising star in our French wine section.  We’re mesmerized not just by the superb balance and sensory experience of these wines, but also because we’ve personally met with the makers who carefully harvest the grapes, make the wine, and ship it over to us in this small community.  We are most delighted to not just support our friends who responsibly craft these craveable wines, but to share their labor of liquid love with you. 

From kermitlynch.com/our-wines/domaine-du-salvard:

Domaine du Salvard

Domaine du Salvard has been a working domaine since 1898, through five hardworking generations of the Delaille family. Today, all forty-two hectares of vineyards are farmed by the capable brother team of Emmanuel and Thierry Delaille, with help from their father Gilbert. To our delight, they have carried on the traditions established by their ancestors, producing a true, classic Cheverny that is both simple and elegant. The Delaille brothers have focused their attention on growing fresh, lively Sauvignon Blanc, deeply rooted in the sand, clay, and limestone plains of northeastern Touraine. Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Cot constitute their red grape holdings, creating youthful reds with great aromatics. Gilbert and his sons have also made their own contributions to the heritage of the domaine, including the introduction of sustainable farming practices into the vineyards, as well as temperature-controlled vinification equipment to the winery.

Until finally achieving A.O.C. status in 1993, Cheverny was widely regarded as one of the best V.D.Q.S. (Vin de Qualité Superieur) of the Loire. However, some argue that this A.O.C.-in-waiting designation was a political maneuver by the I.N.A.O. to keep Cheverny’s delicious, sprightly Sauvignon Blanc out of competition with the other more famous appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Kermit was the first to discover the charm and value of Cheverny back in 1978 when he imported the Domaine Jean Gueritte. He took on the Cheverny of Domaine du Salvard in 1992, a year before the status change in the appellation. We continue to tout the domaine’s wine as one of the greatest values for Sauvignon Blanc perfection.

VITICULTURE / VINIFICATION

  • All wines are vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel cuves
  • All wines age on fine lees in stainless steel tanks and are bottled unfiltered
  • Rosé is 50% free-run juice, 50% pressed
  • 65% Pinot Noir / 35% Gamay

The proliferation of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides in the 1950s has made France the single largest consumer of phyto-chemicals in Europe today. The subsequent degradation of the soil has ensued, killing off the necessary microbiotic life forms that support healthy soils. Lutte raisonnée, literally “reasoned fight” (in French), or “supervised control” (in English), is a reaction to the use of such chemicals, regarded as a pragmatic approach to farming, where chemical treatments are used only when absolutely necessary. Biodiversity in the vineyards is encouraged through the planting of cover crops, rigorous plowing of the soils, and the use of manures and natural composts to fertilize the vines. Some growers use this as a first step towards full organic farming. Others find it a happy medium between conventional methods and the stricter demands dictated by organic certifying agencies. There is a wide berth of interpretation concerning these methods. Some farmers work through certifying agencies such as Terra Vitis, following a specific set of specifications and requirements. Others farm independently, following organic methodologies, and reserving treatments only when conditions are optimal (for example, when there is no wind). Zoologists have introduced more environmentally-friendly concepts such as integrated pest management, or hormone confusion, which prevents the reproduction of certain pests that may threaten the vines. The reduction of sprays not only contributes to the health of the vines and the greater ecosystem, but also to the health of the winegrowers (who account for the largest percentage of cancer cases among farmers).

If you revel in Chinon Rosé like us, we encourage you to explore Chinon, the first installment in our 30 Days of Rosé!

30 Days of Rosé | #01 | Kermit Lynch | Chinon Rosé | Charles Joguet

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Eric Chavalier Chardonnay

Joy abounds whenever a Kermit Lynch pre-order of wine arrives at the Bevie!

chevalier-chardonnayEric Chavalier Chardonnay is a gorgeous expression of French Chardonnay – not too oaky or too sweet, it is a Chardonnay for non-Chardonnay drinkers and Chardonnay lovers alike.

This Chardonnay exudes spring with a little bit of floralness and a touch of creaminess.  Drink by itself or with basil pesto pasta, fresh cheese, or lemon chicken… this well rounded and delicious French white is one of the best white wines you can buy for under $20.

Chevalier Chardonnay is NOT a regular stock item, we can only get a couple times a year so toss an extra bottle in the fridge and delight yourself and your guests with this classic French vin the next time you need a white wine!

eric-chevalier-chardonnay

Eric Chavalier Chardonnay – $13.99 sale!

From kermitlynch.com:

GENERAL INFORMATION –

  • Country:  France
  • Region:  Loire
  • Appellation(s):  Vin de Pays du Val de Loire, Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu
  • Producer:  Éric Chevalier
  • Founded:  Four generations old
  • Annual Production:  22,000 cases
  • Farming:  Lutte Raisonnée

VITICULTURE / VINIFICATION –

  • Grapes are slowly and gently crushed by pneumatic press
  • Juice is transferred underground into glass-lined cuves
  • Natural fermentation by indigenous yeasts
  • Wines age on the lees for 8-10 months, and lees are stirred regularly
  • Wines are never racked or filtered

Éric Chevalier –

kermit-lynch Éric Chevalier is a rising star in the Nantais of the Loire Valley. For ten years, he sourced fruit for a large négociant in the Touraine.  In 2005, he decided to return to his hometown of Saint-Philbert de Grandlieu, just southwest of Nantes, and ended up taking over the family domaine, Domaine de l’Aujardière, the next year. His father, a talented vigneron who did not bottle much of his wines and was well-known as a high-quality source of bulk wine, had stopped working the vineyards and the vines were either going to have to be pulled up and replanted, or sold.  Éric was anything but enthusiastic. Little by little his passion grew, and today he is proud to be the fourth generation to farm the domaine. He is also proud to be bottling more and more of the family’s production himself. Éric sustainably farms twenty-five hectares of vines, producing wines of great character and finesse. He found his future in his family’s past.

The Nantais is a maritime climate, and the vineyards are not far from the Atlantic Ocean. Consequently, there is an interesting variety of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks, as this area once was ocean floor. Of the twenty-five hectares he farms, a large percentage of his production is dedicated to the production of Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu, mostly from old vines in the superb lieu-dit of La Butte). The soils here are comprised primarily of serpentinite and quartz, with the exception of his ancient granite parcel known as La Noë. The other half of his crop (Chardonnay, Fié Gris, and Pinot Noir, among others) goes towards the production of Vin de Pays du Val du Loire, and the soils are rich in granite, sand, and silt. Of these “country” wines, the most notable is Éric’s Fié Gris. This grape, pulled out of vineyards for many years to be replaced with the more profitable Sauvignon Blanc, is indigenous to the Loire. Also known as Sauvignon Rose or Sauvignon Gris, Éric’s vines are one of the few remaining strongholds of this elegant and luscious varietal. It makes an impression, with almost an Alsatian exoticism.

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Clos de la Procure – Cotes de Provence Red Wine – Staff Pick

clos-de-la-procure-cotes-de-provence
One of the jobs we have is to sift through 1000’s of wines available to us and bring in wines that have a ‘wow’ factor.
We nailed it with the Clos de la Procure from Dupéré Barrera – it is one of the best wines in our store under $40!
Out of the 200+ wines we tried at a wine show, this was our favorite and we are delighted to share it with you.
The dark fruits and spice of Clos de la Procure pairs well with seared duck, steak frites, or even just a kick-ass burger – the clean long finish means you can simply enjoy it by itself.
Clos de la Procure 2011 was a one time shot for us so even though we stocked up, once it’s gone, it is gone.  Grab a bottle and if you like it, squirrel a couple away for your next dinner party and wow your guests!

Show sale price: $23.99 ($28.99reg)

 

kermit-lynchFrom kermitlynch.com:

Côtes de Provence Rouge Clos de la Procure –

  • 30% Grenache, 30 % Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 10 % Cinsault
  • Organic farming
  • All grapes are harvested by hand and 100% de-stemmed
  • Grapes are crushed by foot
  • Fermentation is natural and no additives are used
  • No pumps are used to transfer the wine
  • Wine is vinified in small, open cuves, sizes 300-L to 1500-L
  • Punch downs are done daily for the first 15 days of fermentation
  • The wine is aged in French oak barrels from Château d’Yquem, Beauséjour Bécot, and Domaine de la Romanée Conti

Dupéré Barrera –

duperebarrea Unlike so many of our producers who were born into the trade, Emmanuelle Dupéré and Laurent Barrera did not start their careers in wine.  Emmanuelle was, and still is, a professional singer, and Laurent a geological engineer on the island of Réunion, near Madagascar.  In 1998, Laurent decided to change direction and enrolled in viticultural school in the Var.  Emmanuelle already had a degree in Wine Commerce, but went back to school to learn the production side of the business. Their studies brought them together with great winemakers from various regions of France, and as they learned from these experienced producers, they gained a deep respect for the unadulterated expression of the fruit so prevalent in naturally-made wines.

There is nothing average about this husband-and-wife team of enologists:  they consider every detail with both brainy enthusiasm and heart.  These eco-conscious artisans could never be accused of not walking their talk, either. They adhere to organic methods in the vineyards and are now also incorporating biodynamic practices, adding even stricter discipline to their intense workload. Their winemaking process allows the natural character of the wine to speak for itself, with minute doses of sulfur, no fining or filtration, and bottling during optimal weather conditions when the atmospheric pressure is just right. With one cuvée of Côtes de Provence, they take it to the next level: everything is done by hand with absolutely no machinery – earning the name Nowat (no watt=no electricity). Consider their “Cuvée Très Longue Macération” for some très long aging, too.  The Dupéré Barrera team captures the essence of their region beautifully: rich, sun-kissed fruit, savory herbes de Provence, and long, lingering finishes.  Travel to sunny Provence with the pop of a cork.

All Posts, Wine

Clos de la Procure – Cotes de Provence Red Wine – Staff Pick

clos-de-la-procure-cotes-de-provence
One of the jobs we have is to sift through 1000’s of wines available to us and bring in wines that have a ‘wow’ factor.
We nailed it with the Clos de la Procure from Dupéré Barrera – it is one of the best wines in our store under $40!
Out of the 200+ wines we tried at a wine show, this was our favorite and we are delighted to share it with you.
The dark fruits and spice of Clos de la Procure pairs well with seared duck, steak frites, or even just a kick-ass burger – the clean long finish means you can simply enjoy it by itself.
Clos de la Procure 2011 was a one time shot for us so even though we stocked up, once it’s gone, it is gone.  Grab a bottle and if you like it, squirrel a couple away for your next dinner party and wow your guests!

Show sale price: $23.99 ($28.99reg)

 

kermit-lynchFrom kermitlynch.com:

Côtes de Provence Rouge Clos de la Procure –

 

  • 30% Grenache, 30 % Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 10 % Cinsault
  • Organic farming
  • All grapes are harvested by hand and 100% de-stemmed
  • Grapes are crushed by foot
  • Fermentation is natural and no additives are used
  • No pumps are used to transfer the wine
  • Wine is vinified in small, open cuves, sizes 300-L to 1500-L
  • Punch downs are done daily for the first 15 days of fermentation
  • The wine is aged in French oak barrels from Château d’Yquem, Beauséjour Bécot, and Domaine de la Romanée Conti

Dupéré Barrera –

duperebarrea Unlike so many of our producers who were born into the trade, Emmanuelle Dupéré and Laurent Barrera did not start their careers in wine.  Emmanuelle was, and still is, a professional singer, and Laurent a geological engineer on the island of Réunion, near Madagascar.  In 1998, Laurent decided to change direction and enrolled in viticultural school in the Var.  Emmanuelle already had a degree in Wine Commerce, but went back to school to learn the production side of the business. Their studies brought them together with great winemakers from various regions of France, and as they learned from these experienced producers, they gained a deep respect for the unadulterated expression of the fruit so prevalent in naturally-made wines.

There is nothing average about this husband-and-wife team of enologists:  they consider every detail with both brainy enthusiasm and heart.  These eco-conscious artisans could never be accused of not walking their talk, either. They adhere to organic methods in the vineyards and are now also incorporating biodynamic practices, adding even stricter discipline to their intense workload. Their winemaking process allows the natural character of the wine to speak for itself, with minute doses of sulfur, no fining or filtration, and bottling during optimal weather conditions when the atmospheric pressure is just right. With one cuvée of Côtes de Provence, they take it to the next level: everything is done by hand with absolutely no machinery – earning the name Nowat (no watt=no electricity). Consider their “Cuvée Très Longue Macération” for some très long aging, too.  The Dupéré Barrera team captures the essence of their region beautifully: rich, sun-kissed fruit, savory herbes de Provence, and long, lingering finishes.  Travel to sunny Provence with the pop of a cork.