Breton Vouvray Brut "La Dilettante" NV

When most American's think of sparkling wine they think of Champagne or Prosecco. In fact, Chenin Blanc doesn't even cross our minds most of the time. It's difficult to find good Brut Chenin, really! When we were introduced to Catherine et Pierre Breton's "La Dilettante" we were all smitten. We even left it open in the shop and had random regulars and other "wine people" taste and they were smitten too. It's so refreshing and unassuming - after all it's called The Dilettante.  

Made in the style called petillant, which is somewhere between full sparkling (champagne) and frizzante (think moscato d'asti) it has a delicate frothiness with the great minerality we seem to be finding in their wines. It's full of brine and ocean on the nose and just a hint of white blossoms. When you head in for your first gulp that frothy rich, but delicate bubbly hits your tongue and beautiful flavors of oysters and faint stone fruit acidity take you away. We weren't kidding when we said you just need a hammock and glass of this and, well, we'll be seein' ya. 

Breton Vouvray Brut "La Dilettante" NV   $20/bottle

meet the winemaker

Catherine Breton
Part of the dynamic duo that make up Catherine et Pierre Breton wines, Catherine has begun her own venture in winemaking of grapes from her family's estate in Vouvray. She and Pierre are most well known for their work in Bourgueil and Chinon. We must be honest, there isn't much about Catherine's vineyards in Vouvray, but there is very much to be said for her vineyards with Pierre in Bourgueil. They champion the organic movement and do not add additional sulfur to the wines. They use indigenous yeasts and produce low yields of cabernet franc and chenin blanc. They are land loyal and committed to terroir in the glass. With confidence we can say the work Catherine is doing in Vouvray is as emphatic as her work in Bourgueil.