Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
If ever a river and the surrounding landscapes encapsulated the French national identity and lifestyle, it would surely be the Loire and the wine regions that line it. Stretching from one side of the country to the other, the river of kings has been the homeland of our family for nine generations. Originally from Pouilly-sur-Loire, we decided over twenty years ago to head off in search of other treasures that our beautiful wine region could offer. Over the years, our quest led us along both banks of the river, reaching out to local winegrowers and terroirs. We invite you to discover the gems we found on our journey and hope to share with you our passion for one of France's finest wine regions.
Saget La Perrière signature brands epitomize the hallmark accessibility and freshness of Loire wines. Our wines embrace a unique showcase range of Loire appellations; from its original home in Pouilly sur Loire to Sancerre, Chinon, Vouvray, Anjou & Muscadet forming an unprecedented collection across the Loire Valley.
Stretching from one side of the country to the other, the river of kings has been the homeland of our family for nine generations. Originally from Pouilly-Sur-Loire, we decided over twenty years ago to head off in search of other treasures that our beautiful wine region could offer, over the years, our quest led us along both banks of the river, reaching out to local winegrowers and terroirs. With 890 acres of vines located in the finest appellations, six estates and long-term relations with families of vine growers, Saget la Perrière, not only has extensive vineyards, but also creates and blends a wide range of wines from the Loire Valley.
An important white wine appellation in the Touraine and one of the top in all of the Loire, Vouvray uniquely specializes in a wide range of styles from dry to sweet, and still to sparkling, each with its own definitive character. Vouvray is almost always 100% Chenin blanc (however up to 5% Menu Pineau is theoretically allowed but not often used).
Vouvray is also the name of a pretty little town just east of Tours on the northern bank of the Loire—its vineyards surround it to the northeast. Houses and cellars are carved out of the local tuffeau, a chalky or sandy, fine-grained limestone. Vineyards inhabit clay and gravel topsoil over tuffeau on the plateau, the best of which have a slight slope with a southerly aspect.
Chenin blanc’s high acidity and natural adaptability allow it to produce a wide range of styles with enormous success. Styles under the Vouvray name include sparkling, both Brut and Demi-Sec and still: Sec (dry) and Tendre (off-dry) as well as Demi-Sec (noticeably sweet), Moelleux (very sweet) and Liquoreaux (botrytized). Most can age about five years but the best quality versions will continue to improve over decades.
Unquestionably one of the most diverse grape varieties, Chenin Blanc can do it all. It shines in every style from bone dry to unctuously sweet, oaked or unoaked, still or sparkling and even as the base for fortified wines and spirits. Perhaps Chenin Blanc’s greatest asset is its ever-present acidity, maintained even under warm growing conditions. Somm Secret—Landing in South Africa in the mid 1800s, today the country has double the acreage of Chenin Blanc planted compared to France. There is also a new wave of dedicated producers committed to restoring old Chenin vines.