Chai de la Dive, Saumur Champigny, Loire, France, 2024

Producer Profile

Chai de la Dive is a negociant created by Romain Guiberteau, Brendan Stater West, Alex Crochet (Domaine Romain Guiberteau), and Arnaud Laplanche – some of the most esteemed growers in Saumur – established to broaden their exploration of the Loire beyond their main estate.

Drawing on organically farmed fruit from both younger estate vines and trusted growers across villages like Berrie, Épieds, Montreuil-Bellay and Puy-Notre-Dame, the team crafts wines under the ’Les Moulins’ label. Following the Guiberteaus’ philosophy of minimal intervention, Chai de la Divedelivers relaxed, terroir-driven wines that are open, precise and utterly unpretentious.

Viticulture

Fruit is sourced from organically farmed vineyards in and around Saumur, including sites in Berrie, Brézé and Montreuil-Bellay. Vineyards are planted on a mix of clay-sand soils over limestone, the hallmark terroir of the appellation. Grapes come from both domaine-managed and carefully selected grower vineyards, all farmed organically, though not all sites are certified. Vine age ranges from approximately 10 to 25 years.

Winemaking

The Cabernet Franc is fully destemmed before fermentation. A short maceration of around 4 to 6 days is followed by spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeasts in concrete and stainless steel tanks. Winemaking is deliberately low intervention, with filtration prior to bottling and minimal sulphur additions used only where necessary to maintain freshness and stability. No oak ageing is used. The wine is matured for approximately six months in stainless steel and concrete tanks, preserving the purity of fruit, freshness and mineral character of the Cabernet Franc

Tasting Note

Bright ruby red in colour with fragrant aromas of raspberry, wild strawberry, red cherry and crushed violets. The palate is fresh and energetic, showing juicy red berry fruit, subtle herbal notes of rosemary and green peppercorn, fine silky tannins and the classic limestone-driven minerality of Saumur-Champigny. Elegant and savoury, with a crisp finish and excellent drinkability.

Food matching

The wine's fresh acidity, moderate body and savoury Cabernet Franc character make it particularly well suited to roast white meats, game dishes and goat's cheese.