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2018 Bourgueil “Nuits d’Ivresse”
Catherine & Pierre BretonThis cuvée is the Bretons’ argument that serious, age-worthy wine from a top-notch terroir can be made without adding sulfur—an incredibly difficult and scientific feat, which they have masterfully achieved here. The profile is slightly brighter and more red-fruited than the dark-fruited Chinon, but a sneaky, smooth tannin reaffirms its staying power.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2018 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Cabernet Franc |
Appellation: | Bourgueil |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Winemaker: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Vineyard: | 50 years, 3 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | The wine is vinified in barriques and kept in wood for a year then bottled the following December a little over a year after harvest |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2019 Bourgueil “Les Perrières”
France | Loire
There isn’t a spot in the world better suited for Cabernet Franc, and their old vines produce the raw material for one of the best reds in the Loire valley.
2020 Bourgueil “Nuits d’Ivresse”
France | Loire
A great option when you need to stop your “natty wine” friends in their un-sulfinated tracks. A seriously playful Cab Franc from the masters of vinous fun.
2019 Vouvray “Bois Guyon”
France | Loire
For this Vouvray, Paul has opted for a demi-sec style utterly unique in its combination of honeyed richness and flinty verve. This bottling is hard to resist on its own, but you might also try serving it with a simple cheese platter.
2022 Bourgueil Rosé “La Ritournelle”
France | Loire
Brisk red-fruited twang, some herbaceous zest, and an absolutely mouthwatering zingy finish.
2022 Bourgueil “Trinch!”
France | Loire
Peppery and bright, earthy and juicy all at once.
2022 Bourgueil Clairet “Avis de Vin Fort”
France | Loire
Fresh and punchy Cabernet Franc from fun-loving Catherine and Pierre Breton. Light, juicy, and ready to go. Drink young, drink chilled, drink plenty.
2022 Val de Loire Rouge Grolleau
France | Loire
This wine in the Breton book is a pure old-vine Grolleau from soils of clay and silex.
2021 Bourgueil “Franc de Pied”
France | Loire
Serve it with a slight chill, and you’ll have a satisfyingly fresh red with medium fruit and a light dusting of herbs and tannin.
2021 Bourgueil “La Dilettante”
France | Loire
A delicate, aromatic red in the “drink now!” vein.
2019 Bourgueil “Clos Sénéchal”
France | Loire
This divine red allies the power and finesse one would expect from this great terroir.
About The Producer
Catherine & Pierre Breton
About The Region
Loire
The defining feature of the Loire Valley, not surprisingly, is the Loire River. As the longest river in France, spanning more than 600 miles, this river connects seemingly disparate wine regions. Why else would Sancerre, with its Kimmeridgian limestone terroir be connected to Muscadet, an appellation that is 250 miles away?
Secondary in relevance to the historical, climatic, environmental, and cultural importance of the river are the wines and châteaux of the Jardin de la France. The kings and nobility of France built many hundreds of châteaux in the Loire but wine preceded the arrival of the noblesse and has since out-lived them as well.
Diversity abounds in the Loire. The aforementioned Kimmderidgian limestone of Sancerre is also found in Chablis. Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur boast the presence of tuffeau, a type of limestone unique to the Loire that has a yellowish tinge and a chalky texture. Savennières has schist, while Muscadet has volcanic, granite, and serpentinite based soils. In addition to geologic diversity, many, grape varieties are grown there too: Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne are most prevalent, but (to name a few) Pinot Gris, Grolleau, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis, and Folle Blanche are also planted. These myriad of viticultural influences leads to the high quality production of every type of wine: red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert.
Like the Rhône and Provence, some of Kermit’s first imports came from the Loire, most notably the wines of Charles Joguet and Château d’Epiré—two producers who are featured in Kermit’s book Adventures on the Wine Route and with whom we still work today.
More from Loire or France
2021 Chinon “Les Grézeaux”
Bernard Baudry France | Loire
2021 Vin de France Blanche
Domaine Michel Brégeon France | Loire
2022 Savennières
Château d'Epiré France | Loire
2022 Bourgueil “Trinch!”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2022 Jasnières
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2022 Sancerre
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2022 Grolleau “Franc de Pied”
Bernard Baudry France | Loire
2022 Muscadet “Le Clos de la Butte”
Eric Chevalier France | Loire
2022 Chinon Blanc
Bernard Baudry France | Loire
2022 Vouvray “Les Fondraux”
Champalou France | Loire
2020 Chinon “Les Varennes du Grand Clos”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2020 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2021 Chinon “Les Grézeaux”
Bernard Baudry France | Loire
2021 Vin de France Blanche
Domaine Michel Brégeon France | Loire
2022 Savennières
Château d'Epiré France | Loire
2022 Bourgueil “Trinch!”
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire
2022 Jasnières
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2022 Sancerre
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2022 Grolleau “Franc de Pied”
Bernard Baudry France | Loire
2022 Muscadet “Le Clos de la Butte”
Eric Chevalier France | Loire
2022 Chinon Blanc
Bernard Baudry France | Loire
2022 Vouvray “Les Fondraux”
Champalou France | Loire
2020 Chinon “Les Varennes du Grand Clos”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2020 Saumur Blanc “L’Échelier”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.