Savennières

The wine

On the right bank of the Loire downstream from Angers, Savennières unfolds across a vineyard clinging to a slate plateau where three of Anjou's historic grands crus express themselves. AOC since 1952, the appellation covers one hundred and eighty hectares spread across three villages — Savennières, Bouchemaine, and La Possonnière — and rests entirely on Chenin Blanc, the local variety also known as 'pineau de la Loire'. Shallow soils mix sandstone schists, volcanic veins, and wind-blown sands, yielding whites of great mineral tension, dry, semi-dry, or more rarely sweet. Two exceptional climats were elevated to their own appellations in 2011: Roche aux Moines and Coulée de Serrant, the jewel of Nicolas Joly. Dry versions reward five years of cellaring; some age fifteen without flinching. Serve chilled with Loire fish, sandre with beurre blanc, or an aged goat's cheese.