Why it matters
The producer
Vincent Carême's Loire domaine makes sparkling and still wines across several sweetness levels. Chenin Blanc appears in Terre Brûlée Le Blanc 2017, a 100% Chenin Blanc wine from South Africa, while Cuvée T 2016 belongs to the sparkling range. Le Clos 2015 is a Loire single vineyard wine, and Le Peu Morier 2015 is another named bottle from the still range.
The estate also reaches beyond cellar work. Vincent Carême holds a teaching position at the Lycée Agricole et Viticole d'Amboise, combining domaine work with viticulture education.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The Loire range is organized around both sparkling wine and sweetness. Brut non vintage and L'Ancestrale 2014 sit on the sparkling side, while Sec 2016, Tendre 2015, Moelleux 2015 and Première Trie 2015 mark dry, semi sweet and sweet still styles.
South Africa enters through Terre Brûlée Le Blanc 2017. The bottle is made from 100% Chenin Blanc, giving the range a second national setting without changing the grape named on the label.
Wines to know
The range in view
The sparkling range includes Brut non vintage, L'Ancestrale 2014 and Cuvée T 2016. The still wines move from Sec 2016 to Tendre 2015, Moelleux 2015 and Première Trie 2015. Tendre 2015 is semi sweet with 20 g/L residual sugar. Moelleux 2015 carries 45 g/L, while Première Trie 2015 carries 100 g/L.
Le Peu Morier 2015 and Le Clos 2015 are named still wines, with Le Clos identified as a single vineyard wine. Terre Brûlée Le Blanc 2017 sits outside the Loire range as a South African Chenin Blanc, while Terre Brûlée also includes a red wine from 2016.