Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves : Terres 2024

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Terres 2024 by Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves

Tasting

Colour
Born of a long skin maceration, the hue reveals itself in a deep straw yellow, enhanced with coppery, golden and orange highlights.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens on a lovely minerality with saline and stony accents. It then reveals great complexity around citrus fruits, exhaling scents of orange peel, zest, bitter orange and candied citrus.

Palate
The palate surprises with its volume, roundness and almost fleshy texture. This richness is perfectly balanced by a very present natural acidity that brings tension. Fine tannins, inherited from contact with the skins, offer a slight astringency. The long, persistent finish stretches out on mineral and lemony notes, underlined by a delicate touch of bitterness.

Service and storage

To fully enjoy the complexity of this 2024 vintage, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C, after decanting it or opening it two hours before tasting. This wine from the Loire Valley can be enjoyed today and will continue to evolve favourably, drinking well until around 2036.

Food and wine pairing

Thanks to its tannic structure and richness, this white wine pairs wonderfully with raw seafood dishes such as sushi, sashimi or a scallop tartare. It also enhances grilled seafood, such as octopus with Espelette pepper and tapenade, as well as white fish with citrus. On the meat side, it pairs perfectly with herb-roasted poultry or aged goat cheeses.

The unique expression of a white wine from Saumur by Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves

The estate

Founded in 1850 by the Duveau family in Varrains, the estate underwent a major turning point in 1991. That was the year Thierry Germain took over the reins of the property. Today, Thierry Germain - Domaine des Roches Neuves is a key reference. Supported by his children Jeanne and Louis, the current owner cultivates his vines according to biodynamic principles. The estate stands out for its minimalist approach and deep respect for living organisms, giving rise to cuvées of great purity.

The vineyard

Located a few kilometres from Saumur, the vineyard spans 28 hectares divided into 61 distinct plots. The vines, averaging 45 years of age, thrive on a great diversity of soils blending sand, clay and limestone. The uniqueness of this terroir lies in the presence of tuffeau, a porous limestone rock capable of regulating water supply. The plots dedicated to this cuvée rest specifically on flint soils over a limestone base. The entire estate is certified organic and biodynamic, promoting biodiversity and soil work using animal traction.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes intended for the Terres 2024 cuvée are hand-harvested at full ripeness, transported in small crates and then rigorously sorted. Vinification begins with a four-month skin maceration in four-hectolitre Italian amphorae, where fermentation starts spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts. The wine is then transferred into traditional oak barrels for a twelve-month aging period.

Grape variety

Chenin Blanc (100%).