Jamain Reuilly Pinot Noir

The Wine... Pretty Pinot Noir grown on limestone-riddled slopes in a tiny wine growing region of the Loire. River fish served in a creamy herb sauce (dill, maybe?) with crusty hunks of a good baguette would be my dream meal with Jamain Pinot Noir. But in a less-perfect (but still pretty good) world, this red makes a great accompaniment to Carolina Basketball viewing.

The Estate... Denis Jamain's grandfather planted vines here. His 15 hectares are a significant holding in terms of Reuilly: less than 200 hectares are planted within the boundaries of this appellation. Jamain farms in accordance to the minimal-impact sustainable principles espoused by the lutte raisonee organization. The wine tastes very much like the authentic article to me, a great example of the lively herby and slightly spicy character Pinot takes on in the cool eastern Loire.The Region... The wine region we call the Loire comprises a number of  geographically unique areas connected by an amazing river by the same name. The Loire Valley is amazingly diverse and beautiful. It combines a natural landscape with a fine architectural heritage of many chateaux, churches and monasteries. There are also the historic towns and villages important during the Renaissance and relevant today as contributors to the development of modern culture in Europe. In this region of France, there’s a history of interaction between humans and their environment, and it is reflected in the character of the wines.