2023 SAUVIGNON DE TOURAINE, Domaine Echardières. Loire

Touraine is in the central part of the Loire Valley (so central-western France), chiefly famous for the twin villages of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé. Sauvignon de Touraine, coming from the larger region further around, has always been seen as the little brother of those renowned appellations. The advantage is a better price-point.

Quoting UK agent, Richard Kelley MW:
“Luc Poullain bought Domaine des Echardières and its 16 hectares of vines as a going concern in 2000. He was 30 years old at the time. An interesting career path, he studied as an agricultural engineer in Bedfordshire in the early 1990s (which rather explains his excellent grasp of English), before returning to France to sell, ironically, chemicals to the wine industry. Although the cellar is situated in the village of Angé, most of the vines are located on what is referred to as the Premier Côte above the neighbouring commune of Pouillé. Here, there are seven hectares of Sauvignon planted on silex and caillotes – the same one would expect to find in Sancerre and Pouilly.
Luc has also taken advantage of the new Touraine-Chenonceaux appellation that came into effect from the 2011 vintage. Named after the famous Renaissance château situated just down the road, the appellation exists for both red and white wine, selected from the best vineyards located on both sides of the Cher.”

Grassy freshness – clearly Sauvignon Blanc but none of the exotic gooseberry or elderflower aromatics of NZ examples.