Loire
The "garden of France" and a playground for wealthy Parisians, the fairy-tale chateaux testify to the richness of the Loire Valley. The white wines of Sancerre, Menetou-Salon and Pouilly-Fume are very fine expressions of Sauvignon Blanc while the central vineyards rely upon the versile Chenin-Blanc, not least in Vouvray and Saumur. Red wines benefit from Cabernet Franc (wonderful in warmer years, spiky when the summer fails to strike this far north) and a some localised plantings of Pinot Noir in the East. Sparkling wines are an important and growing part of Loire wine culture.
We are particularly proud of our relationships with Jean-Max Roger and Langlois-Chateau.
Products in this Category
Less well known than both Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume the quality of Menetou-Salon is nonetheless exceptionally high. Jean-Max doesn't make much, so snap it up.
Full of the freshness and vibrancy of the newly released 2007 vintage this is one of the finest Sancerre's currently on the market. American critic Robert Parker described it as "one of the greatest Sancerre's I've ever tasted".
Jean-max doesn't make much Sancerre and he makes even less Pouilly Fume. Les Chante Alouettes has minerality from flinty soils and richness from clay soils, blended together to make the perfect dry white.