Joel Delaunay
2022
Casca Macération de Soif Sauvignon Blanc Vin Orange, Domaine Joël Delaunay
View details →£17.80
The SommPills Cellar
Joel Delaunay
1 wine on the Joel Delaunay shelf, chosen one at a time.
£5per bottle£200+
£5£25£50£100£200+
Joel Delaunay
1 wines on the shelf
This family-owned producer operates in the Touraine AOC and is currently in its fifth generation under the stewardship of Thierry Delaunay. What sets this house apart is their pioneering approach to both winemaking and packaging: Thierry's father Joël insisted on estate bottling in 1970, and Thierry himself became the first Touraine producer to bottle under screwcap in 2004. If you want Loire whites made to drink fresh and alive, with genuine technical rigour behind them, this is where to look.
About Joel Delaunay
The domaine farms 34 hectares using sustainable practices across vineyards planted on clay and silex soils—locally known as 'Perruches'—in the Cher Valley, 50 kilometres east of Tours. This location and terroir are fundamental to the house style: mineral, precise, and built for food.
Ninety percent of production is white wine, predominantly Sauvignon Blanc, with the remaining 10% split between Gamay and Cabernet Franc. Thierry's philosophy centres on employing stainless-steel vessels held at regulated temperatures for fermentation, preceded by short, cold maceration on the skins. This approach preserves the natural aromatics that make Loire Sauvignon Blanc distinctive.
For three months, the Touraine Sauvignon Blanc rests on its fine lees while receiving periodic bâtonnage, which gradually develops texture and complexity while retaining its characteristic freshness. This is a wine designed to be drunk young, but with enough structure to reward a little bottle age. For those seeking something more adventurous, Thierry also produces Casca Macération de Soif, an orange wine crafted entirely from Sauvignon Blanc. Extended skin contact during fermentation, coupled with approximately one year of maturation on fine lees, yields a uniquely aromatic and textured expression of the grape.
The rosé, Les Cabotines, blends 70% Gamay with 30% Pineau d'Aunis to achieve excellent mid-palate depth balanced by racy acidity. The Touraine Gamay delivers raspberry fruit aromas alongside supple tannins with a peppery note—an everyday wine equally suited to lighter fare.
Joel Delaunay Wines in Our Collection
The 2025 Touraine Sauvignon Blanc (86 points) is the anchor of this range: green and flinty on the palate, it's your go-to for understanding what this vineyard delivers. Drink it within two years of vintage for maximum freshness.
If you prefer rosé with real structure, the 2025 Les Cabotines Touraine Rosé (88 points, Vivino 3.7) is dry, balanced, and works across a wider range of meals than most summer wines. The 2024 Touraine Gamay (88 points) offers something lighter still—soft red fruit, approachable tannins, perfect for chill and casual drinking.
For adventurous drinkers, the 2022 Casca Macération de Soif (88 points, Decanter World Wine Awards) is a statement piece: an orange wine with tropical and nutty notes that challenges conventional ideas of what Sauvignon Blanc can be. This is not a marketing gimmick but a legitimate expression of extended skin fermentation and oak-free ageing.
Food Pairing
The Touraine Sauvignon Blanc excels with goat's cheese, grilled fish, or fresh shellfish. The rosé works beautifully with charcuterie, gazpacho, or chicken in cream sauce. The Gamay pairs well with chilled roasted meats, mushroom risotto, or even light pasta dishes. The orange wine suits Asian cuisine, spiced dishes, or stronger cheeses. These are wines built for the table, not the tasting room.
Why does Joel Delaunay use screwcap?
Thierry Delaunay was the first Touraine producer to bottle under screwcap in 2004. It preserves freshness and prevents cork taint—essential for wines designed to be drunk young and alive.
What makes the soil here special?
The vineyards sit on clay and silex soils locally called 'Perruches' in the Cher Valley. This minerality is expressed in the wine's flinty character and food-friendly acidity.
Is the orange wine worth trying?
Yes. Casca Macération de Soif is Sauvignon Blanc fermented with extended skin contact and aged one year on fine lees. It won 88 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards and offers genuinely different aromatics and texture.
Who makes Joel Delaunay wines?
Domaine Joël Delaunay is a family-owned producer in its fifth generation, currently led by Thierry Delaunay. The domaine is located in Touraine, Cher Valley, 50 kilometres east of Tours, and farms 34 hectares using sustainable practices.
What style of wine does Joel Delaunay make?
Ninety percent of production is white wine, predominantly Sauvignon Blanc, with Gamay and Cabernet Franc making up the rest. The house style is mineral, precise, and built for food. Their 2025 Touraine Sauvignon Blanc scored 86 points and is green and flinty.
How much does Joel Delaunay wine cost?
Joel Delaunay wines range between £12.40 and £17.15. The core Touraine Sauvignon Blanc and rosé sit around £12–£13, while the orange wine expressions (Macération de Soif) range from £16–£17.
Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.