Curious Case September 2022 - Reveal
The Loire is the longest river in France and the Loire valley is the country's most varied wine region. This month we're focussing on some of the best the area has to offer. From the superb Sauvignon Blancs of the upper reaches to the fresh and zesty, seafood-friendly wines from near the Atlantic coast and several points in between we've picked a selection from vineyards running along the length of the river which give a good introduction to what this part of the country, famous for its fairy tale chateaux, is all about.
Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé might be the famous ones, but there are many lesser-known names certainly worth seeking out. To get a good perspective of things pick up your case today in the shop, or place an order online.
£90.00 per case
free delivery, or collect from the shop.
What's in it?
As always with our Curious Case we don't reveal the content's until the end of the month, but here are a few clues to give you an idea about what's in store. Are you curious?
Wine #1 - A fresh and crisp red perfect slightly chilled
Wine #2 - A super seafood white, par excellence
Wine #3 - Ripe, expressive and full flavoured Chenin Blanc
Wine #4 - A delicious example of one of the big names of the Haute Loire
Wine #5 - This is a savoury, crunchy and fragrant red. Don't be deterred by the wacky bottle!
Wine #6 - Subtle and elegant this is a great advert for central Loire whites
Saumur Rouge, Domaine Langlois-Chateau 2019
In a nutshell:
A fresh and crisp Cabernet Franc from the heart of France's Loire valley.
The lowdown:
Once known only for their Loire sparkling wines Langlois-Chateau are, these days, a serious player with the still wines of the region as well. This leafy and brisk 100% Cabernet Franc come from vineyards in the Saumur appellation. It's matured in stainless steel to retain the sought after brightness, freshness and primary fruit flavours. The nose is full of cassis and rasberry notes while on the palate there are ripe red fruit flavours which are held together by a crisp acidity, supple texture and soft, rounded tannins. Light and fresh this is the epitome of young, cool climate Cab Franc.
When to drink:
It's a good red to serve just slightly below room temperature and will go well with grilled white meats, charcuterie, or soft cheeses.
Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil 'Hurluberlu', Sebastien David 2020
In a nutshell:
A fragrant and deliciously savoury and crunchy French Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley.
The lowdown:
Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil sits on the north banks of the Loire to the west of Tours and light, early maturing wines made Cabernet Franc are the speciality. This one, that we particularly like, is vey much a 'natural' wine with few chemicals being used in the vinaeyard and no sulphur in the winery. While the bottle, at a distance, could well be mistaken for a Coca Cola, we'd urge you not to let that put you off. It's actually wonderfully gratifying, aromatic and moreish. Exuberantly fresh, brimming with cherry and cranberry goodness and a with lively wriggle of liquorice it's quite the refresher.
When to drink:
It's really delicious and inviting and stands out even better if you chill it just for a bit before serving.
Biodynamic
Chateau du Coing de St Fiacre Muscadet-Sevre & Maine sur Lie 2020
In a nutshell:
Quite a characterful Muscadet from vineyards in St Fiacre at the confluence of the rivers Sevre and Maine.
The lowdown:
Véronique Günther-Chéreau and her daughter Aurore at Château du Coing are masters of Muscadet and they make this cuvée from vines that are, on average, 65 years old which helps give the weightier, fuller style they're after in this wine. It's a pale yellow in colour, with fresh aromas of white peach, green apples and floral notes while on the palate, the pure citrus fruit is bolstered by body, richness and structure from the lees ageing.
When to drink:
Fresh, lively and, naturally, ideal with seafood.
Suitable for Vegans
Vouvray Sec Cuvee Silex, Vigneau-Chevreau 2021
In a nutshell:
A ripe and expressive dry Vouvray from an exemplary Loire Valley biodynamic estate,
The lowdown:
Vigneau-Chevreau is one of only two biodynamic producers in Vouvray and they have, over the years, proven themselves masters of Chenin Blanc. This is made from fruit grown on their flinty, clay soils and is fermented and matured at cool temperatures in stainless steel with just a small proportion matured in barrel to add complexity. It's got a fresh and piercing acidity which is offset by a hint of residual sugar highlighted in the baked apple flavours and is rounded off with a smoky minerality, citrus, floral and honeyed notes as it reaches a superbly well balanced and pure flavoured finish.
When to drink:
Dry, but not bone dry, this matches well with fuller flavoured recipes featuring things like pork, feathered game, poultry and fish.
Suitable for Vegans, Biodynamic
Saumur Blanc, Domaine Langlois-Chateau 2019
In a nutshell:
A lovely rich and fat hand picked Chenin Blanc from the heart of France's Loire Valley.
The lowdown:
Once known only for their Loire sparkling wines Langlois-Chateau are, these days, a serious player with the still wines of the region as well. Saumur whites are made from Chenin Blanc and are characteristically crisp and fruity. Here the wine has a pale yellow hue and an intense nose with aromas of ripe stone fruits at first with honey and toasty notes following. Strikingly crisp at first it then shows its real fruitiness and generous, ripe structure. And it wraps up well with a pleasingly fresh and clean citrus finish.
When to drink:
Subtle and elegant it's the ideal companion for raw or cooked shellfish, grilled white fish and even works with asparagus.
Sancerre Blanc, Arnaud & Stephanie Dezat 2021
In a nutshell:
Excellent, crisp, fresh and minerally Sancerre from the latest generation of the Dezats.
The lowdown:
For Arnaud & Stèphanie Dezat winemaking is in their blood having worked with their father and uncle at the highly regarded former André Dezat domaine they have gone their own way to great aplomb. They're fortunate to have excellent vineyard sites sitting on limestone and flinty soils from where they nurture top quality fruit. For this cuvée they give the wine a long temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel followed by 2 months ageing on fine lees to impart the required flavour charactersitics. This vintage has classic fresh, crisp citrus, white flowers and softer fruit flavours backed up with a delicate minerality and well-balanced clean acidity.
When to drink:
Benchmark Sancerre, it goes brilliantly with goat's cheese or poached fish.
