Tessa Laroche ‘Le Berceau des Fées’

Tessa Laroche ‘Le Berceau des Fées’ is a Loire Valley Chenin Blanc by Domaine Aux Moines. With Tessa and Monica Laroche at the helm, The domaine has been working with organic certification from Eco-cert since 2011.

Tessa Laroche ‘Le Berceau des Fées’ is hand-harvested slowly over the course of a harvest season from 9-year old vines. Fermentation and maturation is subsequently carried out in stainless steel tanks and some use of used casks (around 25%). The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation. This organic chenin blanc is lively, fresh, honeyed and slightly smoky on the nose. On the palate is a tense, salivating acidity and long, mineral finish.

The estate’s most iconic cuvée is the ‘Savennieres La Roche aux Moines’, with Tessa introducing ‘Le Berceau des Fées’ in more recent years. Harvesting younger vines that will one day be used for the Savennieres, these vines are lined by a row of trees named Le Berceau des Fées (or ‘The Cradle of the Fairies’, in English). The terroir here is composed of schist that lies very close to the surface. This geological composition contributes to the lasting mineral impression that this wine leaves on the palate.