Loire Valley Grace for the Thanksgiving Table
As we look toward Thanksgiving, there’s no better time to celebrate wines that bring people together at the table; bottles that are joyful and food-friendly. Every wine we’re offering this week shares that spirit, so enter Benoit Daridan’s wine, best served with a light chill.
Benoit Daridan farms organically, tending vines rooted in sandy-clay soils that give the wine its silky texture and mineral core. The 2023 vintage in Cheverny was marked by cool nights and sunny days, producing reds of bright fruit and tension—wines that are immediately delicious but far from simple. The wine is a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay, two grapes that complement one another beautifully. The Pinot brings perfume, grace, and fine structure; the Gamay adds lift, juiciness, and a touch of spice. Fermented in stainless steel and concrete to preserve freshness, the wine is bottled unfiltered and with minimal sulfur. Think of it as a Passetoutgrains from a sister appellation.
In the glass, it’s all about fresh red cherry, crushed raspberry, and a hint of wild herbs. The palate is supple and pure, with just enough spice and structure to make it serious. Think of it as the perfect every day red; vibrant enough to chill slightly, yet refined enough to pour alongside roast turkey and my sister-in-law’s green bean casserole.
This is Loire Valley craftsmanship at its most charming: unpretentious and deeply drinkable. If you love Sancerre Rouge, Beaujolais, or Bourgogne from natural-minded producers, this is your next find.
