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Chateau de Montdomaine Grolleau Noir 25
$28.99
A Loire Valley Rarity, Brought to Us by an Old Friend
In stock: 34 available
Chateau de Montdomaine Grolleau Noir 25
Product Details
Brand: Grolleau
Some of our favorite wine discoveries arrive through people we know and trust. Château de Montdomaine’s Grolleau Noir comes to us through our friend and former AWM staff member Kate Stamps, owner of Rise Over Run. Kate’s importing business connects wine lovers in WNC with small family growers and distinctive wines that might otherwise escape our attention. This rare, small-production Loire Valley red is a perfect opportunity to explore something outside the usual lineup of Loire varietals.
Grolleau Noir has deep roots in the Loire, even if its name is unfamiliar to most wine lovers here in the States. Its documented history dates back to the early nineteenth century in Touraine, and it later became an important grape in neighboring Anjou rosés. For much of its history, Grolleau has worked behind the scenes in rosé and sparkling wines rather than taking center stage as a red. Bottled on its own, as it is here, it offers a different perspective on the Loire: a lighter red whose appeal rests on freshness and fragrance rather than weight and power.
Château de Montdomaine sits in Nazelles-Négron, near Amboise in the Touraine region of the Loire Valley. Frédéric “Fred” Plou and his wife, Louisa, took over the property in 2015, beginning their own chapter in a much longer family story. Fred comes from a winemaking family whose history stretches back more than 500 years. Today, the estate encompasses approximately 17 hectares—about 42 acres—of vineyards across the Vouvray, Touraine-Amboise, and Touraine appellations, giving the couple a varied collection of sites and grape varieties to work with.
The Plous describe their approach as working with nature rather than imposing on it, emphasizing traditional vineyard practices and respect for biodiversity. The estate’s cellar provides another significant connection to the region: a centuries-old cave cut into the tuffeau limestone, perfectly characteristic of Touraine.
Montdomaine Grolleau is fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless-steel tanks, followed by aging on the lees, the fine yeast sediment that remains after fermentation. It’s an approach that keeps the focus on the grape, preserving its vibrant, fruit-driven character while adding extra texture.
In your glass, expect a lifted medium-bodied red with inviting summer-fruit aromas and a distinctive touch of white pepper. This isn’t a red built around oak or concentration; its charm lies in its lively, easygoing style and the chance to taste a traditional Loire grape in a less familiar form. You can even serve it lightly chilled to highlight its fresh, fragrant personality.
At the table, start with the Plous’ recommendations: charcuterie, fresh goat cheese, or grilled salmon. A board of sliced meats and chèvre makes an easy beginning to a meal, while salmon gives this lighter red a place alongside the main course. We’d also love this distinctive red with roasted game birds, pork dishes, spicy grilled tuna, and it will do nicely with veggie fare.
