# Domaine Bertin-Delatte Vingt Neuf (2022)

- **Producer:** Domaine Bertin-Delatte
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chenin Blanc
- **Region:** Loire, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €35
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** quince, pear, apple, lemon, grapefruit, butter, toast, biscuit, honey, almond, hazelnut, dried fig

## About this wine

Domaine Bertin-Delatte was established in 2008 by Geneviève Delatte and Nicolas Bertin in Rablay-sur-Layon, situated in the Anjou Noir region of France's Loire Valley. The cuvée name Vingt Neuf pays homage to 1929, the planting year of the tiny 0.5-hectare parcel Les Noëls from which it originates. Embracing organic viticulture and a natural winemaking philosophy, the estate bottles this cuvée as Vin de France, allowing them the freedom to craft bone-dry, deeply terroir-driven expressions of Chenin Blanc.

## Interesting facts

- Vingt Neuf refers to 1929, the year its single 0.5-hectare parcel of centenarian Chenin Blanc vines was planted.
- The producers bottle under Vin de France to make dry Chenin Blanc rather than traditional sweet AOC styles.
- Vines are rooted in rare black schist soils known as Schistes de l'Anjou Noir, delivering high mineral tension.

## Food pairing

The vibrant acidity and broad structure of this dry Chenin Blanc easily cut through rich cream and butter sauces while balancing savory white meats. Its distinct minerality creates a natural harmony with sweet shellfish and aged goat cheeses.

## Wine making process

Organically cultivated centenarian vines planted on black schist soils are harvested manually at peak ripeness. The grapes undergo gentle direct pressing, and fermentation occurs naturally driven by indigenous yeasts without any added cellar inputs. Aging takes place over approximately 12 months in a combination of neutral oak barrels (~50%) and vats, followed by 3 to 6 months of vat blending prior to bottling. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal added sulfur.