Paul Buisse Loire Petite Buisse Pinot Noir 22

Often hailed as "the garden of France," the Loire Valley meanders along its namesake river in a landscape laced with castles and practically countless vineyards. With over 170,000 acres under vine, it's not just a picture postcard; it's a vinous behemoth, producing around 400 million bottles of our favorite adult beverage annually. From the bracing whites of Sancerre to expressive reds of Chinon, the region exudes an elusive balance of scale and nuance, firmly anchoring itself as one of the most versatile wine-producing regions in France.

The Loire Valley produces a pretty eclectic mosaic of red, white, and pink, and I believe you can find a wine here to suit every wine lover's palate. For whites, Sauvignon Blanc delivers tension and lift in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé; Chenin Blanc showcases depth and richness in wines from Vouvray and Anjou; and Melon de Bourgogne is focused and super-crisp in Muscadet sourced from the Atlantic coast. 

Cabernet Franc is by far the most widely planted red varietal in the Loire, yielding vibrant, medium-structured reds with earthy nuances. Gamay and Pinot Noir here offer fruit-forward charm, with more delicate aromatics and brighter fruit than their cousins in Beaujolais and Burgundy. Small pockets of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec round out the region's diverse collection of varietals.

Founded in the early 1900s in Touraine, Domaine Buisse built its reputation through a balance of time-honored winemaking and an unwavering dedication to terroir transparency. They're known for producing balanced, expressive whites, pinks, and reds that happily won't drain your wallet.

The estate has recently become part of the Pierre Chainier group, and thanks to this association, Domaine Buisse benefits from an expanded global reach while remaining locally rooted in quality. Chainier's stewardship allows for a keen balance of innovation and tradition while extending the estate's presence across global markets previously unreachable to the Buisse family.

Domaine Buisse Rosé is a bright and inviting pink that's crafted from a blend of Cabernet Franc and Gamay. In your glass, super-expressive aromas of wild strawberry and raspberry leap from the glass, meeting whispers of citrus zest and super-subtle minerality. The palate stays fresh and linear, with vivid red berry lifting the fruit to a clean, dry finish that begs for a second sip.

As you'd expect, this perky pink is perfect for grilled salmon, summer salads, falafel wraps, and would be great with sesame-spiked noodles. It's beautifully built for summer, but not in any way confined to it.

In your glass, Petit Buisse Pinot Noir opens with aromas of cherry compote, wild berries, and a subtle dusting of clove and nutmeg. The gentle, well-defined ripe red fruit layers perfectly over soft tannins and a subtle earthy back beat.

This light and chillable Pinot Noir will pair like a champ with roast chicken, lentil mushroom stew, or a beet and walnut salad.