Domaine Ogereau Savennieres Chenin Blanc 'La Sapronaire' 2021

​Beginning with vine plantings after the devastating of phylloxera, the masterful mosaic of vineyards now encompasses diverse terroirs across Anjou, Coteaux du Layon, Quart de Chaume Grand Cru, and Savennieres - the culmination of an enduring legacy of multi-generational winemakers now overseen by Emmanuel Ogereau. Upon meeting Emmanuel, his passion for all things wine is evident. This commitment and respect for the land is foremost, with an ongoing conversion to biodynamic viticulture (Biodyvin) underway for his 23 hectares. Without doubt, the variety Domaine Ogereau can hang its hat on is the region hero - Chenin Blanc. In the realm of Chenin, Emmanuel is unyielding in his dedication to showcasing the remarkable diversity of terroirs and treatments. His contribution to the family Domaine has been his meticulous approach to crafting these wines, a dedication to the 'No Botrytis' style setting a new standard for how pure dry Chenin Blanc can be. The grapes are harvested before the onset of botrytis, ensuring that only unaffected berries make it into the final wines. For the dry whites, any botrytised grapes are painstakingly removed. The harvest is conducted in two sweeps, focusing on the golden moment when the grapes start to turn yellow. In the cellar, Emmanuel uses sulphur judiciously, avoiding overuse, and occasionally explores trials with zero added sulphur. His exacting standards extend to the selection of juice, with whole clusters gently pressed without crushing. Pressing is slow and the first twenty litres of free-run juice are consistently discarded in order to avoid undesired herbaceous notes and bitterness.  Natural fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks, then the wines are transferred to their ageing vessels: cement tanks lined with sandstone tiles, 400 and 500-liter barrels or Stockinger foudre (no new oak). The wines ferment until fully dry for the sec. They are usually lightly filtered. Important note, sometimes 30% of his Chenins undergo partial malolactic fermentation, a ‘winemaker’s choice’ to enhance the character of his wines. Emmanuel Ogereau's wines are the embodiment of the finest terroir-driven expressions, marked by precision, elegance, and a connection to the land. As Emmanuel continues to refine his craft and innovate, the wines of Domaine Ogereau are just getting better and better. Mosaique​