Jeremy Villemaine Touraine Chenonceaux 'La Carriere' 2023

Chenonceaux Sauvignon tends to have a bit more ripeness and richness than your standard Touraine, and this one is no exception. There's a touch of the exotic here too, with passionfruit and mango joining the classic green apple freshness you'd expect. The fruit comes from older vines and with a little skin contact and nine months on lees adding extra depth the result is a fuller, more generous style with soft, ripe flavours, a hint of creaminess, and a long, elegant finish. A Loire Sauvignon with a bit more oomph and character than many.

With thing like seared scallops, fish pie, or a creamy seafood risotto this has the ripeness, a touch of creaminess, and a fresh lift to keep everything balanced and seriously tasty.

Based in the wine-growing town of Thésée in the Cher Valley, Domaine Villemaine benefits from the region's clay-limestone and clay-siliceous soils, along with the gentle microclimate of the Cher River. The estate has been around since 1825, but it’s from the late 1960s onwards that it really took shape in its modern form. Today, Jérémy Villemaine is at the helm, steering things forward with a mix of tradition and energy. Sauvignon Blanc is their mainstay, alongside plantings of Gamay and Cot. Fully organic since 2023, their wines are good-value expressions of what the Touraine area's best.