breizh gwin gwenn — breton white wine loire (vintage 2014, white)

Country: Italy  Region: Brittany  Grape: Meron de Bourgogne & Sauvignon Blanc 

Brittany, in France’s northwestern-most region, is a hilly peninsula extending out toward the Atlantic Ocean. It’s lengthy, rugged coastline is dotted with beach resorts. Its Pink Granite Coast is famed for its unusual blush-hued sand and rocks. It is an area rich in history.

The Cheneau family has been making wines in the Muscadet region for nine generations. Brothers Christophe and Philippe, along with Christophe’s son Maxime, now own and manage 4 different estates, with vineyards that cover 160 acres. The wines are made in each estate winery facility. Their main activity is to produce Muscadet. Ten years ago they created the Breizh Gwin Gwenn, which means Breton White Wine in the local Celtic language.

The recipe for this selection is 80% Melon de Bourgogne and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, and results in a wine that shows pale straw with green tinges in the glass.

Light but complex, you’ll notice subtle aromas of peach and hay when lifting your glass. On the palate it is lively and refreshing. Why not share it with friends tonight? (It will not benefit from further aging.) Serve chilled with shellfish, chicken or light pasta dishes.

Breizh Gwin Gwenn Breton White Wine:

MELON DE BOURGOGNE GRAPES — This grape is not very well known, but appreciated by all who have experienced it. Also known simply as Melon, it is a white grape grown primarily in the Loire Valley of France, and used for making Muscadet.

SAUVIGNON BLANC GRAPES — A white with very distinctive dusty character, high in acidity with up-front aromas and flavors. A climate-driven chameleon, Sauvignon Blanc wines may be fruity in character (ripe melon, fig, passion fruit), or vegetative and grassy. Mostly unoaked, the resulting wines are light to medium bodied and usually dry. Personalities depend on where the grapes are grown.