The vineyards of the Loire Valley produce a diverse range of white, red and rosé wines from the Central Vineyards in the east, through Touraine and Anjou-Saumur, to the Nantais sub-region by the Atlantic coast in the west. Each of the four sub-regions is subject to different climactic conditions better suited to certain grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc in the Central Vineyards and Touraine; Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc in Touraine and Anjou-Saumur; and Melon Blanc in Nantais, for example.
Notwithstanding the excellent Chenin Blanc wines from Vouvray or the refreshing Muscadet sur Lie wines from Sèvre-et-Maine, for me the Loire Valley is synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc and since becoming first acquainted with Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé wines as a student many years ago, I find myself coming back to these wines time and again.
The Hauts de Perrière Pouilly-Fumé (2019) from Waitrose is a very good example of what a fine Pouilly-Fumé should be. This is a crisp dry wine with high acidity, medium alcohol and medium (+) body. With aromas of apple, pear, lemon and honeysuckle on the nose, and flavours of apple, gooseberry and pear on the palate, with a smoky flintiness on the finish, the wine is well-balanced and has a smooth, velvety texture. It’s ideal as an aperitif or with a seafood dish.
Available from Waitrose. £16.79
Touraine Sauvignon Blanc Le Vin des Copains 2019
And if you like the Hauts de Perrière Pouilly-Fumé, you are sure to like this – Le Vin des Copains. This is another fine Sauvignon Blanc, this time from Touraine, just to the west of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, and is a refreshing, fruity wine to enjoy by itself or with food. A dry wine with high acidity and medium (+) body, it has aromas of blossom, apple, pear and lime on the nose, and apple, pear, grapefruit and peach on the palate. A well balanced wine with a long finish, it went down a treat with grilled mackerel.
Available from Waitrose. £8.99