Domaine des Baumard - Quarts de Chaume2018

WHITE WINE

Domaine des Baumard

The sweet wines of Domaine des Baumard are from vineyards planted along the Layon river, which flows northwest into the Loire. The magnificent Quarts de Chaume is a fascinating wine, with a compelling intensity and authority of site which informs each vintage. Always long-lived, in great vintages this wine can be almost immortal, improving for decades.

Estate

Domaine Des Baumard is situated right in the heart of the Anjou, in the town of Rochefort-Sur-Loire, just south of the town of Savennieres itself. The property has been in the Baumard family since 1634, but it was reconstituted and improved by Jean Baumard in the mid-1950s. Since 1992 the estate has been run with meticulous care by Jean's son, Florent, and the Domaine is now regarded as one of the greatest producers in the Loire Valley and one of the greatest producers of white wine in the world.

Vineyard

The perfectly exposed vineyards in the appellations Coteaux du Layon allow the Chenin Blanc grape to ripen perfectly in most years, often enriched by the development of botryitis. For the production of sweet wine, Florent Baumard prefers to harvest as late as the vintage weather permits, hoping for plenty of botryitis. The grapes are harvested in successive passes or "tries" through the vineyard, and any unsatisfactory fruit is eliminated.

Vinification

The grapes are pressed quickly and the must fermented under temperature control. Aging is done strictly without oak to preserve the elements of fruit and terroir.