Kicking off my tasting week was the wines of Loire Valley on Tastelive with several of my fellow bloggers. Co-Hosts Ziggy The Wine gal and Tim Gaiser took us through 5 very different affordable wines showcasing Touraine the Centre Loire and its soil which sets the standard for Sauvignon Blanc.
Touraine is known as the Garden of France and one of the most popular tourist areas. It is here where you will find the standard set for Sauvignon Blanc, the grape is perfect for the ever changing climate. Fruity, tart and lively acidic are just some of the characteristics of these wines.
First wine of the night 2011 Jean Francois Merieau Hexagonals Sauvignon Blanc priced at $13.99. Nice floral nose with hints of sweet pear and pink grapefruit. Minerality in the mouth with some tropical fruit, citrus zest (lime/lemon). More fruit forward with loads of acidity. Great starter.
Up next the 2011 La Garreliere Le Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Touraine priced at $16.99. On the nose Dried herbal notes with allspice, pear and carmel, earthy tones, grapefruit and apple. The mouth is full of stone fruit, citrus, dried herbs, pear and grapefruit with lime notes. The herbs really give this wine an earthy character and I thought this would pair well with a mushroom dish.
Wine 3 is the 2011 Xavier Weisskopf Sauvignon du Touraine priced at $13.99. Here on the nose again the earthy forest floor with apricot, lemon/lime zest, pear and hints of grapefruit. Loads of lime and grapefruit with again a nice mineral finish. I believe my comment "limeade" was spot on.
Wine 4 the 2011 Domaine de la Charmoise Henry Marionnet Sauvignon Blanc Touraine priced at $13.99. Sweet pair, apricot, lime on the nose and a wonderful creamy soft start to the taste. Lemon citrus, grapefruit, stone fruit and mineral note. Zesty is a great description of this wine.
The final wine of the evening the 2011 Ricard Les Trois Chenes Touraine Blanc priced at $14.99. This wine was the fooler of the evening and the farthest from Sauv Blanc one could imagine. Ripe peach, apricot, tangerine, pineapple with a hint of vanilla. In the mouth I really had more pineapple and peach with a lemon citrus finish. If tasting blind I would have never guessed this to be a Sauv Blanc.
Ziggy, Tim, Cailyn and Joel thanks for treating my palate to some lively delicious wines. Affordable quality wines from the Loire Valley I highly recommend. So honored to be a part of tonight's great event.
Cheers
Dan
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