Located just south of Angers in Mozé-sur-Louet, the Anjou Noir part of Anjou-Saumur, Terra Vita Vinum boasts 30 hectares of vineyards planted on dark schist and granite soils. Bénédicte Petit and Luc Briand took over the estate from the Richou family in 2019, from which point their sole focus was to make some of the most terroir-expressive Chenin Blanc wines.

All farmed biodynamically (Demeter certified), Terra Vita Vinum’s philosophy is low interventionist winemaking to allow the vineyards to speak for themselves. “We do everything possible to produce terroir wines with the greatest transparency to deliver unique emotions.” Only natural yeast found on the grapes are used for fermentation, conducted in many different types of vessels ranging from demi-muid, concrete egg, and amphorae. Very little use of SO2 and no filtering or fining completes the winemaking. Their top cuvées are only released three years after harvest, half of this time spent maturing in the bottle.

The estate has three ranges of cuvées intertwined with many grape varieties ranging from age-worthy Chenin Blanc to Grolleau, Gamay, Savagnin, Cabernet Franc, and others. Their Selections Parcellaires range is the focus today, with Chenin Blanc being their flagship varietal expressed through five different cuvées – Bigottière (Savennières AOC), Grandes Rogeries, Pavillon, Le Réau, and Grand Vau, all four in Anjou Blanc AOC. Cabernet Franc and Gamay are the stars for their red cuvées. It is a young project that already has a cult following and is becoming a favourite for sommeliers worldwide.

Designation – PDO (AOC) Anjou Brissac

Geology – Bedrock of greenish-grey schist and altered green to purple schist.

Grape variety – 50% Cabernet franc, 50% cabernet sauvignon.

Growing method – Our vines are cultivated in a traditional and selective manner. Soil maintenance is done mechanically without chemical weeding and our vines are protected using preparations made from natural products, in the respect of biodiversity.

Winemaking – Light pressing, short skin contact, for part in whole bunches, 30 months’ ageing partially in barrels, unfiltered. Low added S02 to respect the fruit.

Analysis

Sulphites: total 44 mg/L
Alcohol: 13,5% vol

At Terra Vita Vinum, “we cultivate the vines with respect for biodiversity and do everything possible to produce terroir wines with the utmost transparency to deliver unique emotions“. Let’s remember that our wines are as close as possible to what nature gives us. Each cuvée is therefore a unique work, never before made, and never again.

The spirit of this cuvée was to make an Anjou Brissac, with a new style, to celebrate the new name of the appellation!
The nose suggests ripe Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon. On the palate, we appreciate the supple tannins and a nice balance. After the very marked notes of red and black fruits, the finish gives a real sensation of freshness.

Rouge de Schiste is an ode to the new Anjou Brissac style, in honour of the new name of the appellation. An assemblage, originating from the terroir Gabouchons et Violets, where a predominant soil of slate and shale can be found. The nose betrays the ripe grapes of the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

A dry red, full of life, with light tannins and nicely balanced. Clear tones of red and black forest fruits with a sensationally fresh aftertaste. Immediately after opening a light crunch on the tongue, and asks for nothing more than a fine and beautiful, large glass.

And perhaps a small plate of steak tartare. Perhaps a large one.