Domaine Joël Delaunay, `Les Cabotines` Touraine Rosé 2016 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 pruning method is simple Guyot. The vineyards are planted with grass between the vines to control yields. VINTAGE The Loire Valley was plagued by spring frosts and a wet summer causing a severe reduction in yields and making the vineyard owners work hard to manage their canopies and deter fungal growth. VINIFICATION The grapes are pressed in a pneumatic press with careful selection of the resulting juices to control the colour. Alcoholic fermentation took place over 20 days at a temperature of 14°C. After fermentation, the wine is aged on its fine lees prior to cross flow filtration and bottling. TASTING NOTES Pale salmon-pink. The nose opens with compelling scents of red berry fruits and floral notes. The same fruits recur on the palate, Grape Varieties 80% Gamay enhanced by a peppery touch. The palate is lively and tense with 20% Pineau d'Aunis a silky texture. A vibrant, enjoyable rosé. Winemaker Marie and Thierry Delaunay Closure Screwcap ABV 13% Residual Sugar 3.4g/L Acidity 6.84g/L Wine pH 3.2 Bottle Sizes 75cl Notes Sustainable, Vegetarian, Vegan.