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Wine enthusiasts looking for a region with something for everyone need not look further than Anjou. Located in the western Loire Valley, Anjou boasts a repertoire that includes still red, white, and rosé along with sparkling and sweet wines. This diversity can be credited to the east-west sprawl of the region that pulls influence from the Atlantic to the west, the continental trends of central France to the east, and the Loire River that runs along the northern stretch of the area's borders. The two main soil types here are distinctly different, with northern lands consisting of schist and carboniferous rocks compared to the limestone-rich, white soils to the south. While many of France's wine designations focus on limiting varietals and restricting techniques, Anjou is refreshingly broad, with many varying sub-appellations to explore. Today's adventure dives into Anjou Blanc, a classification that has grown in popularity in the last two decades. Anjou Blanc is a dry, still, white wine traditionally crafted from Chenin Blanc, with some vintners choosing to blend small amounts of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc into the wine. For many years, Anjou Blanc has played second fiddle to the region's famous, decadently sweet Chenin Blanc-based wines. Anjou Blanc's rise in regard is undoubtedly due to the efforts of younger generations of winemakers who enthusiastically experiment with the district's more expansive capacity for excellent grape growing. The Côteaux du Layon sub-region possesses the best fruit for sweet Chenin Blancs and is also where winemaker Antoine Leduc selects the Chenin Blanc for his dry version. Born into a family with a winemaking heritage dating back to 1873, Antoine was destined for the vineyards and cellar since birth. After studying Oenology in Burgundy and Bordeaux, he returned to the family's estate to take over as the 4th generation winemaker for Domaine Leduc-Frouin. His style is straightforward: craft pure, subtle, and locally-driven wines. Anjou's diversity allows Antoine to do just that while expressing the intricacies of individual vineyards. For the 2021 Anjou Blanc, he chose slightly more mature grapes to highlight the floral, honeyed characteristics. The wine underwent fermentation and 12 months of aging in French oak barrels before another six months in stainless steel vats. This 100% Chenin Blanc is astonishingly round yet crisp with complexly layered aromas. The wine opens with scents of honeysuckle, candied lemon peel, and pineapple and swiftly melds into flavors of stewed peaches, spiced pears, and lemongrass. Antoine's plusher style is lights out when paired with stone crab, lobster salad, or a dozen oysters Rockefeller. That is, if you can refrain from finishing the bottle by the time the dinner bell rings. - ACME Fine Wines |
