Domaine du Moulin

It was wonderful to finally meet Hervé Villemade. On a number of recent visits to Paris we had often enjoyed his wines at leading wine bars that specialise in natural wines. We had particularly enjoyed the obscure Cour Cheverny white made from the equally obscure Romorantin grape.

Cheverny is a small village not too far from the city of Tours in the central Loire region. It is here that Hervé makes his thrilling white wines using organic vineyard practices and organic winemaking methods. He also makes excellent reds based on a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay grapes. His wines are also very low in sulphur.

Domaine du Moulin Cour Cheverny Acacias Blanc 2006

This wine is made from the Romorantin grape, in fact the tiny Cour Cheverny appellation is the only place in France where it is produced.

RRP: $40

Domaine du Moulin Cheverny Blanc 2008

A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Chardonnay this wine is only produced in small quantities. The wine is unfiltered.

RRP: $23

Domaine du Moulin Cheverny La Bodice Blanc 2007

A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Chardonnay this wine is elegant, rich and and lasts for a long time on the palate. The wine is unfiltered.

RRP: $33 SOLD OUT! BACK SOON

Domaine du Moulin Cheverny Les Ardilles Rouge 2008

At the vineyard tasting this wine stood out for its elegance and structure. We loved the blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay.

There is a famous wine bar in New York called Terroir that publishes opinions about wine on their idiosyncratic Web site. Here is what they have to say about this lovely wine (they don't always use sentences!):

"Clay (light clays) and silex stones. More Pinot Noir (80%) than Gamay here. Superb nose, intensity. Les Ardilles is again and again, to my opinion, a great wine... Floral notes, elegant wine."

RRP: $35

Domaine du Moulin Cheverny Cuvee Domaine Rouge 2008

This wine was a standout at the tasting! An assemblage of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Gamay, the grapes are sourced from a special part of the vineyard.

And Terroir in New York again:

"Pinot Noir and Gamay. Terroir of sand and flint stone (silex). Vinified in Grenier wooden vats of course. Half destemmed grapes, half whole clusters. Foot stomped. Very nice mouth."