Domaine Vincent Ricard Touraine Blanc “Le Petiot” 2024 | Touraine, Loire Valley

The Wine 

Bright, crunchy Loire Sauvignon. “Le Petiot” roughly translates to “the little one” in local dialect. Citrus, gooseberry and wet stone with just enough texture from older barrels. From 30-year-old vines cropped at a modest 45hl/ha, slowly fermented at low temperatures and aged on fine lees for extra texture and freshness.

The Producer

Vincent Ricard’s father founded the co-operative of Oisly-Thesée in 1958, and Vincent was a member there before deciding to set up on his own in 1999, having worked with Philippe Alliet in Chinon where he learned all about organic practices, and Claude Levasseur (Francois Chidaine’s uncle) in Montlouis. He has 15ha of well-placed south-facing vineyards on upper terraces of the Cher river (45 minutes from Tours) where the soil
comprises of a mix of limestone and clay. Vincent works with low yields, hand harvests, uses indigenous yeasts for the fermentation and ages around 20% of his wine in older barrels for a little extra texture.

Vincent produces an excellent example of Touraine Sauvignon that would give many Sancerre more than a run for their money.