Berthier Domaine de Montbenoit Côteaux du Giennois Blanc

Jean-Marie Berthier, a highly skilled wine producer from Loire valley, created this estate in the early 1980’s. Today, his two sons Clément and Florian have taken over the domaine to produce a distinctive range of wines, covering a variety of styles and Loire appellations as the estate has expanded.  Having previously worked in Burgundy, New Zealand and the USA, Clément and Florian brought a modern approach; looking to produce clean, precise wines which display a distinct sense of their origins. In 1998 the Berthier family purchased the Montbenoit estate in Côteaux du Giennois.

Côteaux du Giennois is a tiny 191 hectare region and only a recent appellation, despite  archaeological evidence of winegrowing from the 2nd century in the area. The wines from here can offer a great value and more fruit-driven alternative to their famous neighbours of Sancerre and Pouilly. Half of the vines for this wine grow on silex soil from the town of St Pe`re, the rest on  on limestone & clay soils in Pougny, alongside the river  Loire. These different soils combine to bring complexity to the wines.

The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled vats to retain freshness then aged on its lees for few months before bottling to build extra weight and complexity.

Grape: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Tasting Note: Fresh and pure with juicy citrus, mandarine and elderflower notes and a vibrant, tangy, clean finish.

Food Match: Ideal on its own, or with ceviche and green salads.

Closure: Natural Cork

Farming Practices: Contains Sulfites