Domaine Pierre Ménard - La Varenne de Chanzé 2023
In Faye d'Anjou, in the heart of the Anjou Noir region, Domaine Pierre Ménard cultivates a veritable garden of vines where precision and sensitivity take precedence over volume. Established in 2013, after international winemaking experience, Pierre Ménard has dedicated himself to revealing some of the most expressive schist slopes in the Layon Valley. He focuses his work on a handful of specific vineyard sites, including La Varenne de Chanzé, employing a handcrafted approach, controlled yields, organically farmed vines, and gentle winemaking techniques, guided by natural cycles. The wines are portraits of individual parcels, each conceived as a distinct terroir.
La Varenne de Chanzé 2023 is a dry white Anjou from a single plot of Chenin Blanc vines planted on a south-facing slope that plunges down towards the Layon River, in the immediate vicinity of Clos des Mailles. The soil is composed of green, blue, and purple schist, mixed with volcanic rocks of the spilite and rhyolite types, giving the wine both depth and tension. The vines, cultivated according to organic and biodynamic principles, are harvested by hand with rigorous sorting. The grapes are pressed slowly and gently, fermentation occurs with only indigenous yeasts, and the wine is then aged for approximately twelve months on its fine lees in stoneware jars, barrels that have held several wines, and small casks, with very limited sulfur added and no fining or heavy filtration. The 2023 vintage, luminous and balanced, is a precise, energetic Chenin Blanc that is already very approachable, while also offering excellent aging potential.
On the nose, the initial impression is one of great aromatic freshness. Notes of ripe lemon, grapefruit, juicy pear, and white peach are perceived, complemented by aromas of white flowers and linden blossom, followed by a subtle smoky and stony character reminiscent of sun-baked rock. On the palate, the attack is direct and lively, driven by a fine acidity that lengthens the wine without making it harsh. The wine unfolds with a texture that is both elegant and flavorful, offering notes of zesty citrus, crisp pear, delicate herbs, and a touch of white pepper. The mineral structure, inherited from the schist and volcanic rocks, provides a saline and tactile sensation that adds considerable depth to the whole. The finish is long, clean, and very easy to drink, marked by a return of citrus, damp stone, and elegant bitterness, reminiscent of a rich and crystalline lemon tart.
At the table, La Varenne de Chanzé 2023 is ideally suited to precise and refined cuisine. It pairs wonderfully with grilled or en papillote white fish, pike-perch with beurre blanc sauce, smoked trout, or citrus ceviche. Its tension and salinity also make it a perfect match for seafood, shellfish, and delicate crustaceans such as langoustine or seared scallops. On land, it enhances roasted poultry with lemon and thyme, asparagus risotto, vegetable dishes featuring spring vegetables, or a fine selection of cheeses, from fresh goat cheese to a young Comté, where its freshness balances the richness.
Grape variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
