SAQ PGI Grolleau, Chenin ‘Le Pinard de Rochard’ 2023, Domaine Fouet

Follow this link for SAQ: https://www.saq.com/fr/14898405

Local Vino

Lovers of Montreal’s restaurant scene remember the Plateau-Mont-Royal with nostalgia, before the neighborhood became a mere suburb of France. Back then, shining at the firmament of the late-night culinary scene was the Continental, under the stewardship of Laurent Farre and Alain Rochard. The former is still active for our sensory pleasure, but the latter has spent the last twenty years dedicating himself to creating the wine he once served.

Originally from Saumur in the Loire Valley, he spent time in the Minervois with his Domaine du Loup Blanc, only to return to his roots this time with Julien Fouet to present a blend of Chenin Blanc and Grolleau.

This Fouet, a sixth-generation winemaker who also works organically, is an expert in Chenin Blanc with several vintages available at the SAQ, including his irreverent ‘Pour ma gueule’... It is the Grolleau Gris (the red Grolleau is more commonly used for rosés), vinified here as a white, that brings a special touch to this vino and provides its biting acidity.

It’s fresh, it’s fresh with citrus and stone fruit notes. Pour it as an aperitif, only to realize that 750ml is very little wine when it’s this well made…

• To pair with it: A salmon croquette in a burger or a salad,
• For the anecdote: Robert Parker once cavalierly suggested that Loire winemakers should tear out their Grolleau and replant with Cabernet Franc… Fortunately, the winemakers turned a deaf ear, and today we still find 460 hectares of Grolleau Gris in the region…
• To better understand the Loire: Keep an eye out for our upcoming workshop on the subject,
• To go further on the theme: Saumur blanc ‘L’ardillon’ 2022 at $24 in the SAQ (13585407)