Translation missing: en.ACellars Newsletter 16th February, 2023 - Domaine des Marnes Blanches + Frédéric Savart + Tasting this Saturday: SOMOS!: ACellars Newsletter 16th February, 2023 - Domaine des Marnes Blanches + Frédéric Savart + Tasting this Saturday: SOMOS!
Both Pauline and Géraud Fromont came from farming backgrounds in the Jura, rather than intergenerational winemaking. But the lack of wine "pedigree" has not
held them back from becoming the rising Jurassic stars with Domaine des Marnes Blanches, the domaine they established when they were both only in their mid-twenties.
With vineyards across three towns, the domaine's name comes from the white marl (translation: Marnes Blanche) with its topsoil of limestone from their original site at Cesancey.
Pauline and Géraud share all aspects of the viticulture and
viniculture and their certified organic vineyards are located in the Jura's Sud Revermont region, which is also home to a lot of the Jura's natural wine producers, with cult neighbours as Ganevat.
Pauline and Géraud produce two main styles of wine: topped up (ouille) and oxidative (sous voile) for which they have two different cellars to mature the wines in their ideal conditions. They are young and energetic producers which is reflected in their living wines. A producer fit for every wine lover's table and a couple to watch into the future.
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Frédéric Savart
Having been born into a family of vignerons, Frédéric Savart's path into wine seemed pre-destined. But his real dream was to be a professional footballer. As a youth, Frédéric signed a contract with Stade de Reims, playing
as an attacking midfielder. But as is so often the case, Frédéric met a woman, refused a transfer, ended his football career, and returned to his father's
vineyards. Oh, he married the woman too.
The family estate was founded in 1947 by Frédéric's grandfather, René Savart. René's son, Daniel (Frédéric's father) took over the winemaking responsibilities in the 1970s, but production remained extremely small. It
wasn't until the 1980s, that Daniel significantly expanded the family's holdings, and increased production to the levels we see today. Since 2005, Frédéric has been at the helm of the estate, though Daniel is still very present, happy to share a glass of wine or two with visitors.
With only half a hectare planted to Chardonnay in the family’s four hectares of vines, Ecueil is Pinot Noir territory, and its soils are notably sandy. The influence of chalkier soils is found in the neighbouring village of
Villiers-aux-Noeuds, with René’s prized sélection massale planting of the renowned Pinot Fin d’Ecueil.
Primarily fermented in stainless steel, but oak influence and malolactic fermentation carried out as the vintage
and the personality of the wine guides him, the expressive, complex and pure Champagnes of Frédéric Savart are proudly poured in some of the world’s best restaurants, such as El Cellar de Can Roca and noma.
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Tasting this week:
SOMOS
Saturday 18th February
3pm - 6pm
Young and juicy little "vinitos" from Australian-Mexican duo, Ben Caldwell and Mauricio Ruiz Cantú.
Minimal intervention and working with alternative varietals in McLaren Vale, Somos ("we are" in Spanish) wines are made in the ethos of the two chicos: fun and energetic, just being exactly themselves.
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