We visited only one winery on this day, Domaine Brazilier in Thoré-la-Rochette, Côteaux Vendômois, Touraine, because the whole afternoon was devoted to the visit of Château de Chambord.
Domaine Brazilier in Thoré-la-Rochette, Côteaux Vendômois, Touraine, is a bit off the beaten track.
Current owner and winemaker Benoît Brazilier, the 7 th generation of a family of winegrowers and winemakers, was our host. He joined us on the bus and we drove with him to his vineyards, before touring the estate and tasting through his portfolio of wines.
Regal Wine Imports is presenting Domaine Brazilier in some of the US states. I am not sure if there are other importers.
Domaine Brazilier in Thoré-la-Rochette, CôteauxVendômois, Touraine
Current owner and winemaker is Benoît Brazilier, the 7 th generation of a family of winegrowers and winemakers in Thoré-la-Rochette in the Vendômois. This region is situated in the valley of the Loir river, one of the few tributaries of the Loire originating in the north between Le Mans and Paris. The wines of this region have a historic reputation but were overlooked for a long time. In 2000 the Vendômois was granted AOP Côteaux du Vendômois status. This regions gains more and more attention because
of the fantastic wines produced here.
Domaine Brazilier has 65 acres of vineyards planted with mainly Chenin and Pinot d’Aunis, an autochthone red grape variety in the Loire valley as well as Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. They work the fields with respect for the environment and are certified Terra Vitis. The soil is typical for the Touraine region: chalky limestone with some flint, called “tuffeau”. Benoît uses historic limestone caves for much of his wine production and the tasting room. These caves were carved out centuries ago when the rocks were used to build the châteaux.
K & L Wines
Located in Thoré-la-Rochette in the eastern Loire near the Atlantic ocean, father and son Jean and Benoit Brazilier farm 25 hectares of vines, ten of which are family owned (Benoit represents is the seventh generation of the Brazilier winemaking legacy here). They farm and produce appellation Coteaux du Vendômois wines from Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pineau d'Aunis, and Cabernet Franc, and Vin de Pays from Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Gamay. They have some estate plantings of Pinot Noir.
Regal Wine Imports - Domaine Brazilier
Style: White
Type: Still
Winemaker: Benoit Brazilier
Appellation: Côteaux du Vendômois
Varieties: Chenin Blanc
Viticulture: Brazilier's vineyards are farmed organically. This wine stems from vines averaging 20 years old. The fruit is harvested with a machine that selects during harvest, delivering only grapes to the cellar. Yield 50 hl/ha
Farming: Organic
Terroir: Chalk and limestone
Vineyard: Situated between Vendôme and Montoire, Coteaux du Vendômois stretches across the banks of the Loire. An AOC since May 2000, Coteaux du Vendômois have a historic reputation...Ronsard, Balzac, Henri IV were particularly fond of these wines.
Vinification: The grapes are directly pressed in a pneumatic wine press, and fermented in stainless steel at cool temperatures with selected yeast. The wine is not fined, filtered by kieselguhr. Total SO2 80mg/l
Aging: Stainless steel
Features: Vegan
Distribution Area: Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
Arriving
Distribution Area: Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
Arriving
Vineyard Tour
Cellar Tour
Tasting
Bye-bye
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Menu
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