At A Glance
- Region
- Loire
- Appellation
- AOC Chinon
- Main grape
- Chenin Blanc
- Signature wine
- Amphora
- Defining feature
- Terracotta amphora fermentation and fine lees ageing
The Producer
Earl Domaine de Noire specializes in organic AOC Chinon wines. Grapes are harvested by hand, generally destemmed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Amphora takes a separate cellar path, using Chenin Blanc, terracotta amphorae and extended lees ageing.
Place
Chinon is a Loire wine appellation. AOC Chinon identifies the wine's regulated place of origin, while Chenin Blanc places Amphora among the white wines associated with the appellation. The bottle joins a defined Loire address to a grape and cellar method that are both stated plainly on the wine.
Wines
Amphora is a 2020 white wine made from Chenin Blanc and identified as AOC Chinon blanc. Its fermentation and ageing take place in terracotta amphorae, followed by one year on fine lees. The broader cellar method uses temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and indigenous yeasts, while Amphora gives the range a named white wine with a distinct vessel and ageing regime.
In The Glass
Chenin Blanc commonly brings fresh acidity and orchard fruit. Fine lees ageing can broaden the palate, adding a rounder texture and savoury depth as the wine remains in contact with the yeast cells left after fermentation. Terracotta amphora fermentation gives Amphora a clay vessel through both fermentation and ageing, so its character is shaped by Chenin Blanc, terracotta and lees contact.
A Bottle To Understand It
Amphora is the first bottle to open. It puts Chenin Blanc, AOC Chinon and terracotta amphorae into one wine, then adds fine lees ageing to the cellar picture. The bottle also shows the contrast within the domaine's methods, since other grapes are generally fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts.
Final Word
Earl Domaine de Noire makes organic AOC Chinon wines, with Amphora as a Chenin Blanc white fermented and aged in terracotta and shaped by fine lees contact.