Bruno Dubois 2018 Saumur-Champigny ‘Plume’

The Loire Valley in France is as famous for its magnificent wines as it is for its splendid chateaux. But what do these two things have in common? The obvious answer is the French aristocracy. The Parisian elite of the past built these opulent castles to pursue lavish and leisurely lifestyles while indulging in the fine wines of the region. For wine geeks, however, the answer is the soil.

The soil found in the Saumur region of the Loire valley is called Tuffeau. Tuffeau is a type of cream coloured, lightweight and porous limestone that formed around ninety million years ago from the remnants of an ancient sea floor. For centuries it was used in French architecture, including building the iconic chateaux that dot the Loire Valley.

Tuffeau, however, is more than a useful building material; it also grows excellent grapes. Vines thrive in this type of soil because it retains heat (to better ripen the grapes) and drains water from the roots. The Cabernet Franc grapes grown in the region of Saumur-Champigny are particularly successful in Tuffeau.

Tuffeau soil helped winemaker Bruno Dubois craft a flavourful biodynamic and organic Cabernet Franc chalk-full of finesse. The 50-year-old vines were harvested by hand and the juice was fermented using wild yeast. The skills of the viticulturalist and winemaker are apparent in the glass; it exudes flavours of fresh red and black fruit, and subtle spices. Pair it with Friday night take-out.