Thierry Germain Roches Neuves Bulles de Roche 2019

The fruit for this delicious sparkling comes from a range of biodynamic parcels in Saumur, alongside a vineyard in Le Puy-Notre-Dame (an appellation that’s only for red wines). It’s a blend of 90% Chenin Blanc, with the remainder split between Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.

The fruit was picked quite late for sparkling—when ripe and full of character—then whole-bunch pressed and naturally fermented in a mix of stainless steel and old Insolite barrels. In the bottle, the wine was then aged for around 18 months on lees before being disgorged with no additions (zero dosage). In short, it’s a Saumur méthode traditionelle—à la Germain.