Domaine Siret-Courtaud "Châteaumeillant Rouge" Loire Valley, France 2022

FROM GRAND CRU SELECTIONS:

THE WINE: A blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. Located south of Bourges, the Châteaumeillant AOC is the appellation which is the "most central in France." The 80 ha of vines that make up the Châteaumeillant vineyards are planted on predominantly sandy and sandy-clay siliceous soil. The subsoils consist of a metamorphosed layer mainly of sandstone, mica schist and gneiss. Their Chateaumeillant is a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. They do a severe sorting and vinify in stainless steel tanks for one year.

THE PRODUCER: Vincent Siret’s father Jacques was a grain farmer in the Centre Loire who moved into polyculture in the 1990’s by growing asparagus and raising chickens. In 1995, he purchased 1.5 hectares of vines in the Quincy appellation. Vincent knew he wanted to become a vigneron and after obtaining a degree in agricultural engineering. He returned to the Loire in 2006 purchasing 10 hectares of vines in Quincy, creating his own domaine “Siret-Courtaud.” He and his brother represent the current generation in Quincy that has grown and evolved from their parents’ generation while maintaining the spirit of cooperation in the region. If you ever meet, be sure to ask him about the methods he uses to combat frost. Wow.