Domaine des Baumard Cremant de Loire Rose NV

We bring to you the ever controversial cabernet franc, and this time we bring it to you, sparkling!  Now, take that!  This is the Loire's answer to champagne - cremant. It is from Domaine des Baumard, established in 1634, and has carried a reputation for quality and character since 1955 when they decided to make a go of the wine business on their own (rather than selling grapes).  

We can swoon over their Savennieres, but today we bring you something festive for the upcoming holidays of Easter, Mother's Day and, even, graduations. And that's not to say we don't swoon over this, because we do! It has such great aromas of Cabernet Franc - red fruit and loose unsweetened cocoa powder. The bubbles are fine and mousse-like. Its taste is subtle. It has a vinous quality with underlying ripe strawberry/raspberry flavors. It's only just peachy in color. Over all, it's full of finesse and satisfaction.  

It would be a great way to kick of the Easter meal, or just a little something to enjoy in the kitchen - alone - before everyone arrives.

Baumard Cremant de Loire  $20 a bottle

meet the winemaker

Florent Baumard 
Florent took over the family wine business in 1987 just after he finished his education in viticulture and enology in the Entre-deux-Mers. He and his father, Jean Baumard, worked together from 1987 to 1993 to ensure Domaine de Baumard would stay at the top of its class and stature in the Loire before Jean retired to the Cotes d'Azur.

This was important considering the imprint his father, Jean, had placed upon the wine. Apart from running the Domaine from day to day, Jean was also the professor of viticulture and oenology at the agricultural college in Angers until 1970, moving on to become the President of the Federation Viticole d’Anjou between 1971 and 1976.

Most famously, he was the first grower from the Layon to invest in Savennieres, buying 10 hectares of vines in Le Clos du Papillon and a parcel known as Le Clos Saint Yves in 1968. 

Not unlike his father, Florent, has carved his way in the Loire as well. He has, unlike others in the Loire, not veered from the traditional methods of his father. Some say the wines even have a distinctive "house" style that some argue are not typical of the appellation. We say: C'est la vie! We love Florent's work!