# Cuvée Élégante (2023)

- **Producer:** Vignoble De La Jarnoterie
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Cabernet Franc
- **Region:** Loire, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €8
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red cherry, redcurrant, blackberry, vanilla, cedar, earth, wet leaves

## About this wine

Cuvée Élégante is a 2023 red wine from Vignoble De La Jarnoterie, produced in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Loire Valley, France. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, this wine is crafted from the estate's younger vines. The name 'Élégante' signifies its supple and elegant character, intended to be an approachable, fruit-forward expression of the appellation. Vignoble de la Jarnoterie is a historic family estate, established in 1893, with a commitment to precise winemaking that highlights the subtlety of Cabernet Franc and the estate's terroir. The vineyards are situated in a micro-climate protected by a forest, contributing to the wine's distinctiveness.

## Interesting facts

- The estate has been in the same family for five generations.
- Wines are aged in traditional tuffeau stone cellars.
- The estate is certified High Environmental Value (HVE3).
- The name 'Élégante' was chosen to embody the wine's character.

## Food pairing

The wine's fine tannins and medium body complement the protein in meats like duck, lamb, and beef, while its fresh acidity cuts through richer sauces. Fruity notes in the wine echo those found in dishes with fruit components, and its subtle herbal undertones harmonize with herbs used in cooking.

## Wine making process

The Cuvée Élégante is produced from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes. Following harvest, which may involve manual sorting, the grapes undergo fermentation in temperature-controlled vats to ensure a delicate extraction of aromas and tannins. The wine is then aged for 12 to 18 months, primarily in chestnut barrels, and further matured in the estate's tuffeau stone cellars. Vignoble de la Jarnoterie employs integrated farming practices, including vineyard grass covering and leaf thinning, and holds HVE3 certification, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship.