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Thierry Germain, one of the best winemakers in Saumur Champigny.
The Domaine des ROCHES NEUVES of Thierry Germain has elevated the Saumur-Champigny appellation for the past 10 years, always using biodynamics.
He has a "humanistic" vision of viticulture, and his respect for the vine goes so far as to wrap it instead of pruning it! Humanistic but not mystical: this is to avoid "aggressing" the vine, so it does not enter into an additional foliar cycle, which would harm the berries.
In the cellar, each plot that deserves it (including some recently acquired on the best terroirs of Saumur-Champigny) is vinified separately, giving the winemaker the opportunity to showcase his talent: each cuvée rivals with the best French wines in terms of complexity and aging potential.
Settled in 1993 (at the age of 23), Thierry Germain talks about a "thermal shock" when he arrived in the "sweet Anjou". He progressively learned and developed a philosophy that blends modernity with respect for others, starting with Nature (including plowing with horses). Modernity is symbolized by his approach to the harvest date: "black = overripe = death; color = life: harvest when crunchy, with the tension of the skins" One must dare! Equally modern is his view of aging in wood, now adapted to the objective of each wine (after numerous experiments): vertical or round casks depending on the wine's color, barrels if needed... all done with moderation.
Indefatigable and full of projects, Thierry Germain has always run his estate with Michel Chevret (who also makes his own wine: Les Ecotards), and more recently with Philippe and Eric. He also receives occasional help from young "admirers" who come to be inspired by his philosophy... young people he will later help establish, as he has done in the past.
All the wines from the estate are Saumur Champigny organic, except for a white wine Saumur organic.
Our selection of wines by Thierry Germain:
The whites:
- Insolite is a monument of chenin that must be visited: "minerality, rock water, purity" are the words of Thierry Germain to define this cuvée.
- Saumur Clos Romans
- Saumur L'Echelier
- Saumur Clos du Moulin
As for the reds, few cabernet francs are as refined. The range increases in intensity (both in density and aging potential):
- Cuvée Domaine ("fruit, crunch, grape juice"),
- Saumur Champigny Terres Chaudes ("silky, deep")
- Saumur Champigny Marginale ("chalky, mouth structure in volume, depth").
- Saumur-Champigny Franc de Pied
- Saumur-Champigny Clos de l'Echelier
- Saumur-Champigny Les Mémoires
Why buy wines from the Domaine des Roches Neuves?
Because we love them, and we believe these wines truly deserve a place in your cellar! But as some of our customers have said, "we're not objective, since we tasted and selected them to sell: we are interested". That's why we prefer to "defend" our selection with reviews from major wine guides, more objective than we are:
Guide RVF des Meilleurs Vins de France 2024: 3★/4 (French Excellence). "The charismatic Thierry Germain has defined a contemporary stylistic approach for Saumur-Champigny, which balances the right maturity of cabernets and their aging in wood through various containers, while ensuring the longevity of a wine that is fruity, infused, floral, and crunchy. The significant work undertaken in the vineyards (biodynamically, some plowed by horse) is evident in even the simplest cuvée. The most recent white vintages are remarkable for their saline brilliance, capturing the essence of the chalky expression of chenin on tuffeau. They make the taste buds and body vibrate! The quest for a unique, chiselled, crunchy balance in the reds is undeniable. Their floral notes can be delightful. However, we believe they could reveal a softer, more graceful balance for the Loire's cabernet franc. Thierry Germain is gradually preparing the future of the estate by passing on his knowledge and sensitivity to his son Louis, who is solidly supporting him. A vertical tasting in April 2024 of La Marginale, from 1989 onwards, as well as Clos Romans from 2012, confirms the undeniable aging potential of the reds and whites. Remarkable!"
Guide Bettane + Desseauve : 5★ (outstanding wines). "The wines of Thierry Germain embody the perfection of biodynamics, whether in the purity of their flavors or in their structural balance. Beautiful transparency of the fruit, elegant and finely cut tannins; these wines have real aging potential."
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