Pascal Janvier Cuvée du Rosier Coteaux du Loir Rouge 2021

Pascal Janvier Cuvée du Rosier Coteaux du Loir Rouge 2021

One of the Loire’s rarest red grapes, Pineau d’Aunis is downright obscure compared to the region’s golden child, Cabernet Franc. As with many of France’s grape varieties, Pineau d’Aunis was nearly wiped out by phylloxera in the 1860s. A notoriously finicky grape, it was widely replaced with easier-to-grow, higher-yielding varieties. Pineau d’Aunis acreage had been in steady decline until around twenty years ago when local vignerons, fearing its impending extinction, began an effort to put the indigenous variety back on the map. Only about a thousand acres are planted to Pineau d’Aunis in France today.

The grapes are de-stemmed following the harvest, and then put in cuve for primary fermentation. Pump-overs are done once a day for the extraction of color and oxygenation of the yeasts. Sugar levels are monitored daily. After alcoholic fermentation finishes, the must is pressed. The wine is racked before starting malolactic fermentation. After malolactic is finished, the wine is racked again and bottled.

Blend: Pineau d’Aunis

Appellation: Coteaux du Loir

Country: France

Region: Loire

Producer: Pascal Janvier

Winemaker: Pascal Janvier

Vineyard: 25 years, 1.6 ha

Soil: Clay, Sand

Farming: Lutte Raisonnée

Alcohol: 11.5%