Thierry Germain - Saumur 'Terres' White 2018
White
2018
Loire Valley
Saumur
Chenin Blanc
Biodynamic
Tasting Notes & Ratings
Grape
100% Chenin Blanc
Tasting notes
A radiant expression of Chenin Blanc from the Loire’s limestone-rich soils, the 2018 ‘Terres’ is both precise and textural. The wine opens with aromas of quince, pear skin, white peach, and crushed stones, subtly laced with floral notes and a touch of flinty reduction.
On the palate, it’s dry, energetic, and mineral-driven, with remarkable tension and salinity. The texture is polished yet slightly grippy, showcasing Thierry Germain’s signature precision in crafting wines that reflect terroir without excess. As it unfolds, layers of citrus zest, honeysuckle, and wet chalk are joined by a fine bitterness and lift on the finish. There’s a quiet power here—refined, elegant, and structured for aging.
More About The Winery
Originally from Bordeaux, Thierry Germain moved to the Loire Valley in the early 1990s and quickly became one of the region’s most visionary winemakers. Today, his domaine, Roches Neuves, is considered a benchmark in Saumur-Champigny, producing wines of remarkable purity, precision, and energy.
Since converting fully to biodynamic viticulture in 2000, Thierry Germain has focused on revealing the individuality of each terroir through meticulous vineyard work and minimal intervention in the cellar. His wines, based primarily on Cabernet Franc for reds and Chenin Blanc for whites, are celebrated for their vibrant fruit, elegance, and terroir expression, offering both early drinking pleasure and age-worthiness.
From the supple and approachable Saumur-Champigny cuvées to the profound single-vineyard bottlings such as Les Mémoires and Clos de l’Echelier, Thierry Germain crafts wines that rank among the most exciting in the Loire — often compared to the greats of Burgundy for their finesse and complexity.