{"title":"Thierry Chardon","description":"\u003cp\u003eThierry Chardon's path to winemaking ran through Paris and a fire station. His father sold the family's vineyards while Thierry was young, and he became a firefighter rather than a vigneron. It was Sophie, who would become his partner and co-founder of Domaine de l'Aumonier, who convinced him to leave Paris and come back to the land. In 1996, the two founded their domaine in Couffy on the Cher River, starting with seven acres inherited from Sophie's grandfather. Thirty years later, they farm 86 acres and produce some of Touraine's most honest, characterful wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe conversion to organic in 2006, after plot comparisons proved beyond doubt that organically farmed vines were healthier, was a turning point. Biodynamic certification followed in 2023. Thierry handles the vines and winemaking; Sophie manages sales and administration while staying close to the harvest. Vines average 25 years of age, with 49 acres planted to Sauvignon Blanc, supplemented by Gamay, Chenin, Chardonnay, Cot, Cabernet Franc, and Pineau d'Aunis.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMore on how they farm and work in the cellar in our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/natural-wine-producers-primal-wine\/thierry-chardon\"\u003eThierry Chardon producer profile\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"les-chardons-touraine-thierry-chardon-natural-wine","title":"Thierry Chardon Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eThierry Chardon Les Chardons Touraine is an organic wine made from 100% direct press Sauvignon Blanc grown in Touraine, Loire Valley, one of the best areas for Sauvignon Blanc in the world. Incredibly complex nose with citrus and tropical fruit on the nose, zippy acidity for a crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc, a great classic from Touraine. Serving temperature: 50 F.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thierry Chardon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39708967108807,"sku":"thierry-touraineblanc","price":26.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0019\/3363\/9735\/files\/thierry-chardon-touraine-sauvignon-blanc-2021-natural-wine-primal-wine.png?v=1787946376"},{"product_id":"touraine-gamay-les-chardons-natural-wine","title":"Thierry Chardon Touraine Gamay 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThierry Chardon Les Chardons Touraine Gamay is a red wine from France's Loire Valley, specifically the Touraine appellation. Crafted entirely from Gamay grapes, this wine reflects the region's characteristic terroir, which includes clay and limestone soils that contribute to the grape's vibrant expression. The vineyards are cultivated using organic practices, emphasizing sustainability and environmental respect. In the cellar, the winemaking process involves spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, followed by aging in stainless steel tanks to preserve the wine's fresh and fruity profile. This approach ensures that the wine authentically represents the Gamay varietal and its Loire Valley origins.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thierry Chardon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43881847718104,"sku":"CHARDONS-GAMAY","price":26.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0019\/3363\/9735\/files\/thierry-chardon-touraine-gamay-2023-natural-wine-primal-wine.png?v=1787946385"},{"product_id":"les-chardons-touraine-duo","title":"Les Chardons Touraine Duo","description":"\u003cp\u003eHusband and wife team, Thierry and Sophie Chardon, founded their estate in 1996 in the village of Couffy on the Cher river. Thierry came from a family of winemakers but, after his father was forced to sell his vineyards, decided to become a firefighter instead. Years later, Touraine and family history drew them back and he and Sophie began a winemaking estate of their own. They converted to organic farming and winemaking practices in 2007 after plot comparison proved that the organic plots were healthier than those non-organically farmed. Their vineyards also benefit from gentle slopes and good drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Loire Valley is a vast region located in western France. It stretches from the hills of Auvergne all the way to the Atlantic coast, cut in half by the Loire River. With over 4 million hectoliters of wine per year, the Loire Valley is one of France’s biggest and most diverse wine-producing regions. The Lore Valley’s production ranges from every-day quaffable and unpretentious wine to some of the country’s finest whites and reds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUpper Loire sub-region: continental climate, soils are mostly flint and limestone formations. This is the land of Sauvignon Blanc, with Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé being the most famous appellations (AOC).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTouraine sub-region: continental climate, soils can be clay with flint or limestone, and chalk. Chenin Blanc is the main grape varietal for white wines, with Sauvignon Blanc coming in second. Red wines are made mostly from Cabernet Franc.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnjou sub-region: maritime to continental climate, crumbly and soft soil formation called tuffeau. Anjou is well-known for its Chenin Blanc wines, mostly dry although there are good examples of sweet Chenin Blanc in Coteaux du Layon.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSaumur sub-region: continental to maritime climate, soils are made of tuffeau limestone in this similar to Anjou sub-region. Chenin Blanc is vinified as a sparkling wine with the champenoise method, Cabernet Franc is made into light and peppery wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePays Nantais sub-region: maritime climate, the region stretches to the Atlantic Ocean. Soils are rocky with granite formations. Muscadet is the main grape varietal of this area, known for wines that are mineral, crisp, and refreshing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhite wines represent the biggest share with about 65% of the total production. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Melon de Bourgogne, and Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne are the most popular grape varietals in the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLoire Valley reds are very distinct in terms of their style. Light and lean, lively and fruity, easy-drinking and food-friendly, they are some of the best everyday wines on the market. Some of the best examples of this style are made from Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Malbec.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thierry Chardon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44356303421656,"sku":"chardons-tourainegamay","price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0019\/3363\/9735\/files\/le-chardons-touraine-classic-organic-wine-primal-wine.jpg?v=1718498451"}],"url":"https:\/\/primalwine.com\/collections\/thierry-chardon.oembed","provider":"Primal Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}