Wine glossary

A few keywords to better understand our wines, our approach, and viticulture in the Loire Valley.

Biodynamics

An agricultural approach that views the estate as a living organism. Beyond organic, it uses plant-based preparations (nettle, horsetail, horn manure) and takes cosmic cycles into account for working the soil and the vines.

Biodyvin

International syndicate of biodynamic winemakers. A demanding certifying label that controls practices in the vineyard AND in the cellar (unlike AB, which only controls the vineyard).

Cabernet Franc

The emblematic red grape variety of Saumurois and the Loire Valley. Produces fine, elegant wines with notes of red fruits, bell pepper, and sometimes violet. The main grape variety of Le Manoir.

Chenin (blanc)

Historic white grape variety of the Loire Valley (Anjou, Saumur, Touraine). Produces dry, off-dry, sweet, or luscious wines depending on the terroir and harvests. Excellent aging potential.

Grolleau Gris

A rare and confidential grape variety of the Loire Valley. Produces soft, easy white or rosé wines with notes of white fruits and citrus. Very little cultivated in France.

Pineau d'Aunis

An old red grape variety of the Loire Valley. Light, peppery, sometimes spicy wines. A unique profile, both red and almost rosé.

Aging

The period between the end of fermentation and bottling. At Le Manoir: old barrels (never new), large oak vats, concrete tanks, sometimes amphorae. Duration 6 to 24 months depending on the cuvées.

Spontaneous fermentation

Fermentation carried out solely by the indigenous yeasts of the grape and the cellar (as opposed to added industrial yeasts). More complex and slower, it yields wines that are more expressive of the terroir.

Sulfites (SO₂)

Natural preservative used in winemaking. At Le Manoir: very reduced doses, sometimes absent. Biodynamics allows for levels well below organic thresholds.

Terroir

A combination of soil, subsoil, climate, exposure, and human expertise. At Le Manoir: clay-limestone on Cretaceous tuffeau, south-facing, ocean winds.

AOC Saumur / Saumur-Champigny

Controlled Designations of Origin for wines from Saumurois. Saumur for white/red/rosé, Saumur-Champigny for red only (Cabernet Franc).