Really enjoyed these two Mas Lavail Terre d’Ardoise Carignan Blanc Vieilles Vignes Côtes Catalanes* 2014, Languedoc, France (£11.99 Majestic) Yes, White Carignan. Gentle, relaxed style, with lightly floral, herby overtones to the pear and quince flavours and a sappy salty bite on the finish, like Sauvignon without the shriek. S- […]
Sauvignon Blanc
Famille Bougrier Sancerre 2013, Loire, France (£13.50 Oddbins) There’s an almost Chablis-like chalky/flinty edge to the citrus-tinged melon flavours, plus a touch of nettles, but while it’s decent enough, it tails off on the finish. B- Domaine Seguin Pouilly-Fumé 2014, Loire, France (£14.95 Lea & Sandeman) Bright, sappy style, with […]
Loire Sauvignon Blanc: Sancerre & Pouilly Fumé
Really like both of these, although they’re quite different – go for the first if you want fruit impact, the second if you prefer more minerally aspects Emile Balland ‘Les Beaux Jours’ Coteaux du Giennois 2014, Loire, France (£12.99 Oxford Wine Company) Lots of flavour here, with gooseberries & blackcurrant […]
Two Sauvignons from lesser-known parts of the Loire
Domaine de l’Ermitage Menetou-Salon Blanc 2014, Loire, France (£12.95 From Vineyards Direct) Really grown-up style of Sauvignon, fruity with lemon, apple and greengage to the fore, but also herby/earthy restraint, and keen sappy bite to the finish. S- Aotea Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Nelson, New Zealand (£15 Flagship Wines, Aged in […]
Sauvignon Blanc: the Loire & Nelson
Same grape, quite different wines Marchesi Di Gresy Langhe Sauvignon 2013, Piedmont, Italy (£16.95 WineTrust.co.uk) Good mix of richness and freshness, with ripe apples and gooseberry flavours set against sappy, herby citrus and stony notes. Very attractive style, but needs food – Dover sole? S- Longavi Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Leyda […]
Sauvignon Blanc from Piedmont, Italy and Leyda, Chile
Blind Spot Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Margaret River, Australia (£7.75 The Wine Society) They’ve done this really well. Some Margaret River SSBs can be too angular, but this sees the slightly catty/citrussy Sauvignon character in with a richer, muskier guava note. Great for this price, and no sign that it’s going […]