Château de Brézé
Cremant de Loire
Sparkling Rosé
Lauded in the classical literature of the 15th century, by King René of Anjou, the legendary wines of Château de Brézé were served in many royal courts in Europe. Regularly exchanged with other famous châteaux, like Sauternes’ greatest, Château d’Yquem, during the 1600’s, the white wines of Château de Brézé became known throughout Europe as “Chenin de Brézé.”
When the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) of Saumur-Champigny was established in 1957, the owner of Château de Brézé refused the inclusion of his vineyards into this red wine appellation. His claim was that his historical vineyards were the best in the area for Chenin Blanc and that they should have their own AOC, Brézé. He was denied and the vineyards remained part of the abyss of Saumur. However, most vignerons in the area would tell you today that the vineyards of Brézé are the best vineyards in Saumur, and that the claim of superiority is true.
In 2009, the château’s new owner, le Comte de Colbert, asked Yves Lambert and his son, Arnaud, from Domaine de Saint-Just, to manage the estate. They accepted with a twenty-five year lease and immediately began a hard work of converting these historical vineyards to organic culture after more than fifty years of chemical farming. Today, five after many years of quality farming and the deft touch of Arnaud, the brilliance of the wines known centuries ago is reemerging.
*****
sparkling, crisp, dry to the bone, elegant, aromatic. only the best.
PassingTheVine 