2024 Masson-Blondelet Sancerre "Thauvenay", Loire Valley, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre comes from Southeastern facing vineyards composed of complex chalky, Portlandian-flinty soil. Since 2002, no herbicidesre used, along with no insecticides. The estates uses the bare minimum of fungicide, but not only copper, which they think the accumulation in the soils would be harmful for them in the long term. Rainwater is collected to fight mildew with demineralised water and thus reduce as much as possible the dose used. The vines are lightly hoed and regularly tilled by hand. Only organic amendments officially agreed for Organic Farming are used at the end of autumn. Treatments are reduced to bare necessities in order to protect fauna and soils, which are crucial for an appropriate development of the vegetation. 

Wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks after cold settling, with a long conservation on very fine lees. The winemaker uses cold tartaric precipitation, no malolactic fermentation, & the sulphite rate in accordance with biodynamic principles.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Pouilly-sur-Loire is located in the centre of France, on the Loire river, 200 Km in the South of Paris. Michelle and Jean-Michel Masson created Domaine Masson-Blondelet in 1975, being the sixth generation of wine producers in the family.

In 1980, they built a modern cellar dug underground with 3 levels to work by gravity. The Domaine is now 20 hectares in size, which are planted on the best sites in the heart of the Appellation. The vineyards which are on South and South-East facing slopes enjoy a micro-climate caused by the river Loire which protects them from the extreme variations in temperature.

Masson-Blondelet is famous for their constant effort to improve quality and to preserve soils, as they do not use any chemical fertiliser, nor weed-killer. Today, the children are taking over from their parents, Pierre-François is in charge of the viticultural side and the wine-making and Mélanie is responsible for the commercial activities. They are the seventh generation on the estate.