Domaine du Pré Semelé is a small, family-owned producer from Maimbray just north of the town of Sancerre, where the 4th generation, consisting of Julien and Clément Raimbault, is today at the helm.
Since 2018, they have been tinkering with conversion to organic cultivation; a lengthy process of paperwork that could make any counter pope giggle with envy.
Sancerre is the town that also gave its name to the Loire’s best-known white wine. Here, some of the most elegant white wines are made from the sauvignon blanc grape, but there are also both red and rosé made from the ‘burgundy grape’, pinot noir, which makes up approx. 1/5 of production.
The domaine has two hectares of very densely planted pinot noir (6,500 vines/ha), which stands on the most clayey parcels of an otherwise calcareous soil.
Barrel aging is rarely used in rosé production – not even in this case, which means that the wine retains its freshness and crispness. Cold fermentation takes place after a short maceration for a few weeks in stainless steel.
In the glass we are greeted by a delicious fruity scent of raspberry and delicate red berry nuances, and the taste is quite aromatic with a lovely freshness and liveliness, and in the glass we encounter notes of summer’s red berries.
Should be enjoyed while young, in spacious glasses (for the aroma) and served at 8-10°, preferably in the company of salmon, sea trout, mackerel or other fatty fish, but also try it with a broad-shouldered salad, paella, bouillabaise or for light meat dishes.
