2022 Terra Vita Vinum Anjou Blanc Grand Vau

WINEMAKER: Luc Briand and Bénédicte Petit
REGION: Loire Valley, FR
VARIETY: Chenin Blanc
VITICULTURE: Certified Biodynamic

"Grand Vau is located in the commune of Mozé and cultivated on volcanic rhyolite and sandstone schist. 14 months on its fine lees, in demi-muids, with no racking or movement. Bottled with no additions, fining or filtration. This is always a racy wine and in 2022 it is very taught and tense, but there is a beauty and expressiveness from the volcanic soils, and this is wonderfully balanced and full of zesty energy. Just superb." - Andrew Guard

This exciting project was born when Didier Richou, one of the two brothers who ran the much respected Domaine Richou, decided to retire. His younger brother Damien needed help, so brought in three new partners. The project’s aims are simple – to continue and build upon the work done by the Richou brothers, to convert the domaine from organic to biodynamic farming and to make the finest wines possible with the least intervention. These wines are fantastic – sophisticated, distinctive and delicious. Terra Vita Vinum is the Ganevat of the Anjou!

Terra Vita Vinum are based in the heart of the Anjou Noir region, where the soils are quite different to the limestones of Saumur and elsewhere in the Loire. Here we find a geologist’s dream, a complex mix of schists, quartz and volcanic rocks ideally suited to viticulture. Each vineyard’s unique situation, soil and climate gives its own character, clearly translated via the vine into the glass. This is the essence of terroir and central to the philosophy of Terra Vita Vinum.