Attributes:

Domaine Delesvaux

The Loire, France

Chenin Blanc

750 ML

1997: WineAdvocate Rating: 98

full-bodied

orange, spices, tropical fruits

huge, sweet

1996: WineAdvocate Rating: 97-99

full-bodied

layered

powerful

apricot, candied, cherries, flowers, herbal, minerals, orange, peach, pineapple, raspberries, tea

ripe

Food Matches:

Defined by the Loire River it is the most diverse region in France. Whether it's a slightly chilled Chinon, a still dry Sancerre, or a vibrant sparkling wine, it can all be found in the Loire Valley. The main red of the Loire is the Cabernet Franc, and two main white grapes are Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. The Loire is divided into three areas. In the Western Loire Muscadet is the main grape. The Middle Loire where the regions best Rose is produced. In the Eastern Loire Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir dominates. All of the regions in the Loire share a cool northern climate. In the warmer years the grapes receive enough sunlight to ripen, while at night the cool climate results in higher acidity giving Loire wine a haunting precision. These growing conditions are very temperamental and can be a double edged sword to Loire growers. In the instance that rain is too heavy and the weather is to cold, the wine will be thin. Whatever the result, there is a certain discipline and care that goes into a Loire wine in the attempt to exhibit pure expressions of the terrior and varieties flavors.

Attributes:

Domaine des Dorices

Sevre Et Maine Muscadet, France

Melon de Bourgogne

750 ML

Food Matches:

Attributes:

Henri Bourgeois

Sancerre, France

Sauvignon Blanc

750 ML

2005: WineEnthusiast Rating: 87

citrus, currant, gooseberry, grass

2004: WineSpectator Rating: 87

floral

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 87

solid

lemon, minerally

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 86

apple, citrus, grapefruit, grass

1999: WineSpectator Rating: 88

crisp

rich

grass, honey, melon

1998: WineSpectator Rating: 89

lively

mouthwatering, racy

citrus, gooseberry, herb flavors, mineral

1997: WineSpectator Rating: 83

tart

grapefruit, green apple, herb, mineral

1990: WineSpectator Rating: 87

crisp, fresh

ginger, grapefruit, lemon, pear, spicy

Food Matches:

(sahn sehr)—This ancient town in the Loire Valley has been growing Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir grapes for centuries. The whites are fragrant and dry, very much like Pouilly-Fumé. The reds are light with berry flavors and the rosé is soft and dry.

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.