Les Sablonettes - Le P'tit Blanc

Anjou, sandwiched between Muscadet and Saumur in the lower reaches of the Loire, is one of the original hotbeds of natural wine. Joel and Christine Ménard were early converts to organic viticulture and continue to maintain a hands-off approach in both the winery and the vineyards. Their vineyards sit in the Coteaux du Layon appellation, better known for its sweet wines, but it is with dry wines in both red and white that Les Sablonnettes have made their name. 

Le P’tit Blanc is their young vine Chenin Blanc, and makes a perfect entry into their range. Picking is always late for this part of the world, with 10% of the grapes typically harvested with Botrytis (also known as noble rot), lending the grapes an extraordinary depth of flavour in a dry white wine. Cider apples, pear and beeswax dominate the nose, with richer, more exotic fruit on the palate. Its fresh acidity would complement similarly fresh cheeses, such as Castillon Frais, Lingot des Causses or Duckett’s Caerphilly.