Thierry Germain "L'Insolite" Saumur Blanc 2023

Thierry’s Insolite, meaning “unusual” or “out of the ordinary,” comes from a tiny plot of gnarled 90-year-old Chenin Blanc vines embedded in clayey, silex-rich soils over chalky limestone bedrock. The combination of ancient vines and special terroir result in an ultra elegant and finely-etched expression of the grape. A sensorial springboard to the charms of Thierry’s mineral-driven whites, Insolite is loaded with notes of citrus skin, ripe orchard fruits, river rocks and a touch of smoke. The extraordinary depth, freshness and precision in the glass will leave no doubt that this is Saumur blanc at its most scintillating.

These Chenin grapes were farmed organically, hand harvested, fermented with indigenous yeast for two months in large wooden foudre, then racked and aged for 12 months on fine lees in foudre.

Domaine des Roches Neuves is located in Varrains, 5 km from Saumur, in the heart of the Loire Valley. Founded in 1850 by the Duveau family, the estate was taken over in 1991 by the Bordeaux winemaker Thierry Germain. He initiated a conversion to organic farming in the late 1990s, followed by a transition to biodynamic farming in the early 2000s.

Thanks to his forward-thinking vision and marketing talent, Thierry Germain has transformed Domaine des Roches Neuves into a key reference in the Loire region. His respect for the terroir and commitment to ecological practices, combined with an effective communication strategy, have made this estate a rising star in Loire wines. Thus, Domaine des Roches Neuves blends tradition and innovation, proving that it is possible to reconcile commercial success with sustainable agriculture.