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.
Tasting Notes:
Lightly chilling a bottle of this complex yet gulpable red has been known to make everything you pair with it taste better. Consider a glass alongside grilled salmon or tuna.
Grape:
55% Pinot Noir 43% Gamay 2% Côt
Region;
Loire
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 made by 70% saignée, 30% direct press; does not undergo malolactic fermentation
Reds:
• Grapes are 100% de-stemmed
• Six-day maceration for red wines
• Daily pumpovers and punchdowns