Caves de Loire Wally Anjou Chenin Blanc 2021  £11.95

Caves de Loire Wally Anjou Chenin Blanc 

Les Caves de la Loire is a co-op located in Brissac-Quincé, south of Angers. It was established in 1951 and has 160 growers and 1,600 hectares of vineyards, the majority of them located in Anjou. Its winemaking facilities are overseen by technical director, Agnès Bardet, who has been working with the growers and their vineyards for many years. The harvest is coordinated by Frederic Moreau, who liaises with each grower and offers technical advice all year long. Les Caves de la Loire is certified AgriConfiance et Démarche Vignerons En Développement Durable. AgriConfiance ensures traceability from grape to bottle and adheres to AFNOR's (Association French Normalization Organization Regulation) sustainable practices.

The grapes were sourced from the Anjou area in the Loire Valley, just south of the city of Angers. The vineyards are planted on Sologne clay and sand which lend the elegance and power of the finished wine.

On the whole, this was a very hot vintage. There was rain in June, but then the summer remained very dry until harvest. These conditions meant the grapes ripened evenly and were in perfect condition for the early harvest.

The grapes were pressed using a pneumatic press. After 10 hours, the must be racked and left on its fine lees at 8°C. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks at 16°C before remaining in tanks until bottling.

Intense gold in colour, this Chenin Blanc offers fresh peach and citrus fruit aromas which mingle with hints of hazelnut. The bright palate has a lovely texture and a fresh, moreish finish.