Rémi Sédés, Cuvée Noé, Coteaux d'Ancenis, Loire, France, 2018

Rémi hails from the Jura but moved to the Loire region in 2013 with his wife, who was born in Nantes, and started producing wine in the Côtes d'Ancenis, renting a plot of 20-year-old isolated vines from local biodynamic ‘grandfather’ Jacques Caroge.

Ancenis is a red wine region which suits Rémi who specialises in making Gamay - check out his Samplemousse too.

The vineyards have been farmed organically for over 25 years and Rémi uses horses - very beautiful Percheron horses - to work them and very little if any sulphur in the winery.

The soil is micro granite - which suits Gamay particularly well - with a mix of clay, sand and lime underneath. Gamay is a vigorous vine but the acidity helps to reduce yields, and Gamay on granite will make wine that can age. 

For Noé the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed, with pumping over keep the top wet when fermentation begins. It stays on skins until end of fermentation (3-4 weeks). The vines have been organic for 25 years – they and the yeast are healthy so fermentation is short. All wine on full lees for the winter.

The wine is quite a chunky style of Gamay with kirsch and dark berries on the nose, a rich and ample palate, with a refreshing acidity that makes it very moreish and drinkable. 

Producer - Rémi Sédés
Country - France
Region - Loire
Appellation - Coteaux d'Ancenis
Variety / Blend - Gamay
Wine Style - Red Wine
Farming - Organic
Vegan
No added sulphites