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2023 Chinon “Beaux Monts”
Catherine & Pierre Breton
Outrageously vibrant, with scads of brisk red and blue fruit, graphite, and tomato leaf. So good.
—Dustin Soiseth
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2023 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Cabernet Franc |
Appellation: | Chinon |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Winemaker: | Catherine & Pierre Breton |
Vineyard: | 40-60 years old, 2.3 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
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2023 Vin de France Brut Nature “Elle est pas bulle, la vie?”
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2022 Bourgueil Clairet “Avis de Vin Fort”
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Fresh and punchy Cabernet Franc from fun-loving Catherine and Pierre Breton. Light, juicy, and ready to go. Drink young, drink chilled, drink plenty.

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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 Kimmeridgian 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
2019 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2024 Sancerre
Hippolyte Reverdy France | Loire
2024 Jasnières
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2023 Sancerre Rouge
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2022 Sancerre Rouge
Domaine Hippolyte Reverdy France | Loire
2022 Jasnières “Cuvée Sainte Narcisse”
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2023 Menetou-Salon Blanc “Cuvée des Bénédictins”
Prieuré de Saint Céols France | Loire
2020 Saumur Champigny “Outre Terre”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2020 Saumur Champigny “La Marginale”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2016 Chinon “Les Petites Roches” MAGNUM
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2024 Cheverny
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire
2024 Bourgueil Rosé
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire
2019 Chinon “Clos du Chêne Vert”
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2024 Sancerre
Hippolyte Reverdy France | Loire
2024 Jasnières
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2023 Sancerre Rouge
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
2022 Sancerre Rouge
Domaine Hippolyte Reverdy France | Loire
2022 Jasnières “Cuvée Sainte Narcisse”
Pascal Janvier France | Loire
2023 Menetou-Salon Blanc “Cuvée des Bénédictins”
Prieuré de Saint Céols France | Loire
2020 Saumur Champigny “Outre Terre”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2020 Saumur Champigny “La Marginale”
Thierry Germain France | Loire
2016 Chinon “Les Petites Roches” MAGNUM
Charles Joguet France | Loire
2024 Cheverny
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire
2024 Bourgueil Rosé
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
A good doctor prescribed the wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges to the Sun King, Louis XIV, when he suffered an unknown maladie. When the king’s health was restored the tasty remedy enjoyed a vogue at court. Lord, send me a doctor like that!
Inspiring Thirst, page 117