Brazil in focus
In 2007, while working for an international food company, Laura Semeria decided to make her dream come true – and become a wine grower. Hailing from an Italian family that has made olive oil for three generations, Laura, having studied nutrition and tutored her palate with some of Italy’s finest chefs, attended evening classes to become a sommelier… When she discovered Domaine de Montcy in Cheverny, it compelled her to act. Since then, she has strived to develop her export markets, which now contribute 20% of the estate’s sales. “My target is reach 25% ,” says the young woman, who has just established her wines in Brazil, “a tough market where I’m hoping to make my mark over the long term ”. To start with, she’s marketing 650 bottles of red Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny. Summing up, the enthusiastic vigneronne comments: “I was amazed and delighted to see the Cour-Cheverny selected. It’s an uninhibited wine – you love it or you hate it. I personally love the white wines made from an old, unique and very rare grape, Romorantin. It only exists in this appellation and in this region of France. It yields dry and sweet white wines which are very rich and can be cellared for over 10 years ”.