Domaine Joël Delaunay, Touraine Gamay 2018 Touraine, Loire, France
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Domaine Joël Delaunay, Touraine Gamay 2018 Touraine, Loire, France PRODUCER Domaine Joël Delaunay is a family-owned estate, located in the Touraine AOC. Today, fifth-generation owner Thierry Delaunay runs the domaine. Like his forward-thinking father, Joël Delaunay, who insisted on estate bottling in 1970, Thierry was the first Touraine producer to bottle under screwcap in 2004. Domaine Joël Delaunay has 34 hectares of vineyards, practising sustainable viticulture. 90% of their production is white, with Sauvignon Blanc being the predominant grape variety, and 10% is red, mostly Gamay and Cabernet Franc. VINEYARDS Domaine Joël Delaunay is situated on the bank of the Cher Valley, 50 kilometres east of Tours near the famous Château de Chenonceau. The soil is clay and silex (a mixture of flint and sand) and the training method is Guyot. The vineyards are planted with grass between the vines to control yields, and leaf thinning occurs in July to aid the ripening of the grapes. VINTAGE The 2018 vintage in Loire was excellent. The vines were spared from hail and frost this year. High temperatures, sun and the lack of rain in July and August accelerated the ripening. The quality and quantity of grapes were up compared to the last two vintages. VINIFICATION Semi-carbonic maceration took place over a period of eight days. Alcoholic fermentation occurred at 24°C with one soft pumping over of the juice. Malolactic fermentation occurred at 22°C. The wine was aged on its fine lees, and then cross filtered prior to bottling. TASTING NOTES Grape Varieties 100% Gamay This wine is bright ruby red in colour. On the nose, red fruits Winemaker Marie and Thierry Delaunay dominate with aromas of strawberries, red plums and cherries. The Closure Natural Cork palate is light and supple with soft tannins and a fruity finish. ABV 13% Residual Sugar 1.2g/L Acidity 4.24g/L Wine pH 3.46 Bottle Sizes 75cl Notes Sustainable, Vegetarian, Vegan.