Domaine Paul Prieur - Pinot Bubbles 2023
The Domaine Paul Prieur is located in Verdigny, at the foot of the Monts Damnés hill, in one of the historic areas of the Sancerre appellation. This family estate claims eleven generations of winemakers and is among the domains that have contributed to the recognition of Sancerre wines, both white and red. Since the 2012 vintage, Luc Prieur has managed the estate with particular attention to soils, ripeness, and precision in winemaking. The vineyard has been worked with certified organic farming since 2022, in an approach that seeks to preserve the natural balance of the grapes and the identity of the named plots. While Sancerre is often associated with Sauvignon Blanc, the estate also shows a strong attachment to Pinot Noir, the historic grape variety of the appellation. Pinot Bubbles 2023 extends this sensitivity through a sparkling, free, and unique interpretation of the grape variety. This cuvée highlights a more spontaneous side of Domaine Paul Prieur, without sacrificing the finesse or precision that characterize its wines.
Pinot Bubbles 2023 is made from Pinot Noir from the named plot Les Clous, on clay-limestone soils located in the Verdigny area. This terroir brings natural tension to the wine, freshness on the palate, and a delicate structure, particularly suited to a sparkling expression. The cuvée is vinified using the ancestral method, in the spirit of a natural sparkling wine, with secondary fermentation in the bottle and no dosage. This approach preserves a direct expression of the fruit while giving the wine a fine bubble and a lively sensation. The choice of Pinot Noir gives the whole an original personality, more vinous and textured than a simple sparkling white aperitif wine. The 2023 vintage offers a luminous matter, supported by a fruity ripeness balanced by Loire freshness. Pinot Bubbles 2023 thus stands out for its energy, thirst-quenching character, and ability to translate Pinot Noir into an airy, natural, and gastronomic register.
On tasting, Domaine Paul Prieur Pinot Bubbles 2023 reveals a pale color, animated by a fine and persistent effervescence. The nose opens with notes of fresh apple, pear, citrus, white peach, and delicate flowers. Aeration may reveal a touch of zest, a slightly brioche nuance, and a chalky sensation linked to the clay-limestone soils. On the palate, the bubbles are lively and elegant, with a supple texture that accompanies the freshness without weighing it down. The balance rests on a clear acidity, precise fruit, and a clean, salivating, and slightly mineral finish. This natural sparkling Pinot Noir will pair very well with a refined aperitif, gougères, oysters, ceviche, raw fish, cold poultry, or fresh cheeses. It is best enjoyed young, around 8 to 10 degrees Celsius, to preserve the fruit's brightness and the finesse of its bubbles.
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir
