Our “Tuffe” cuvée, previously known as “Grande Cuvée” is the largest one: 80 to 100,000 bottles/year, depending on the vintage.
Coming from 15 parcels of old and young Cabernet Franc vines, Tuffe is a blend from different “terroirs”, scattered around Saumur and Dampierre/Loire. Here the common denominator is the tuffeau (around Saumur, we would say “la Tuffe”), which can be found at anything from 1 foot to a couple of yards underneath the surface.
Differences in soils, exposition, age of the vines: this patchwork is the real nature of the Saumur-Champigny appellation, and we want “Tuffe” to be an example of the charm of our appellation.
From a serious basis of really ripe Cabernet Franc grapes, this is a really serious wine… But which doesn’t take itself too seriously! Its delightful lack of pretention that will please one and all!

“The entry level is a model of its kind “
Guide Bettane et Desseauve 2012

Fiche Technique : Tuffe

Cépage	Cabernet Franc
Sol	Argilo calcaire
Vignes	15 parcelles sur les communes de Dampierre sur Loire, Souzay Champigny et Saumur.
Mode de culture	En conversion bio (Ecocert). Travail du sol, effeuillage manuel.
Vendanges	Manuelles et mécaniques
Vinification	Tri à l'entrée en cave, égrappage total, macération de 25 à 35 jours. Malolactique en cuve et élevage de 12 à 24 mois, majoritairement en cuve.
Recette associée	A juicy hunk of beef!