Loire Valley
Domaine Antoine Sanzay, Saumur-Champigny
Young Antoine Sanzay took over the family’s 27 acres of vines after the untimely passing of his father in 2002. His cellar is located in Varrains, one of nine communes that make up the Saumur Champigny appellation southeast of of the town of Saumur.
Antoine makes two red cuvées and a Saumur Blanc. Loire-based author and columnist Jacqueline Friedrich calls is his tank-fermented Cuvée Domaine ‘a drink me up’ Champigny. It’s an accessible, bistro-friendly, fruit-forward Franc. The Sanzay Cuvée l’Expression is his more serious Cabernet Franc, fermented and aged one year in barrel. Antoine is gradually increasing the domaine’s output, though he’s still selling part of his production to négociants.
Antoine has a local reputation for being a wine geek. He is quick to extol the virtues of his favorite producers in Burgundy, northern Rhône or on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. But, he’s a modest guy and not opposed to tipping a pint after a long day in the vineyard at Saumur’s Celtic Pub, where they also serve both his red and white wines by the glass.
Domaine Facts
| Vines & Wines: | 27 acres total planted to Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc Saumur-Champigny (Cuvée Domaine): 100% Cabernet Franc Saumur-Champigny Cuvée l’Expression: 100% Cabernet Franc Saumur Blanc: 100% Chenin Blanc Sustainably farmed – JWS cadre of young Loire vignerons prefer the term ”Natural” (no chemicals and no cheating) |
| Soil: | Chalky limestone and clay marl slopes on tuffeau stone base with sandy topsoil |
| Harvest: | Manual harvest using small crates |
| Yields: | 45 hectoliters/hectare on average |
| Vinification & Elevage: |
Classic Cuvée Domaine fermented and aged in temp-controlled tanks. L’Expression is vinified entirely in barrels, 20% of which are new. L’Expression not filtered. |
| Annual Production: | 60,000 bottles / 5000 cases (percentage still sold each year to négociants) |