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2023 Bourgueil “Trinch!”

Catherine & Pierre Breton
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It’s rare for anyone (much less vignerons, who work long days) to be pillars of the community, unofficial appellation ambassadors, bons vivants, cultural icons, and produce village-defining wines all at once. But then again, Catherine and Pierre Breton—along with their daughter France and son Paul—are highly unusual, genuine heroes of French wine, with a seemingly inexhaustible spirit and joie de vivre that courses through all of their endeavors.
     Named for a German expression meaning “cheers,” championed by the poet and philosopher Rabelais, their Trinch! cuvée embodies this energy. One of their most lithe and quaffable rouges, it is a joyous and pure expression of Bourgueil Cabernet Franc, full of leafy, brambly, and graceful charm. Vinified in stainless steel tanks, using a cold maceration, and bottled in the spring after harvest, this bottling is all about accessible fruit, soft tannins, and low alcohol. Open it at apéro hour, or serve it alongside a lentil and potato salad for a light and uplifting winter meal.

Tom Wolf

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Technical Information
Wine Type: red
Vintage: 2023
Bottle Size: 750mL
Blend: Cabernet Franc
Appellation: Bourgeuil
Country: France
Region: Loire
Producer: Catherine & Pierre Breton
Winemaker: Catherine & Pierre Breton
Vineyard: 30 years, 5 ha
Soil: Gravel
Aging: Vinified in stainless steel with a cold maceration
Farming: Biodynamic (certified)
Alcohol: 12.5%

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About The Region

Loire

map of 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.

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Vintage Chart

Trust the great winemakers, trust the great vineyards. Your wine merchant might even be trustworthy. In the long run, that vintage strip may be the least important guide to quality on your bottle of wine.—Kermit Lynch

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