Les Terres Blondes, Gamay Rouge

The Marionnet family has owned the Domaine de la Charmoise, in Soings, just south of Blois, since 1850. The vineyards of the domaine were replanted and expanded between 1967 and 1978 by Henry Marionnet, who became a renowned figure in the region in the 1960s, known especially for being one of the first producers in the region to make truly honest Gamay. For Terres Blondes, Marionnet contracts with growers in the region to assemble a dry Gamay for everyday drinking. The wine has a floral nose followed by a palate of crunchy red berries, minerals, and tangy acidity, and the finish is crisp and dry with soft tannins and a touch of earthiness.