Top Loire Sauvignon Blancs for Summer

16th June 2022

There’s no question that a series of hot summers have resulted in Loire Sauvignons becoming richer and less steely than of old. The frost- blighted and then cooler 2021 vintage sees a return to lower alcohol levels and a more traditional bite. This makes them just perfet for this time of year. Here are five that we think are absolute winners.

Domaines des Forges, Sauvignon, IGP, Val de Loire, 2021, 12.2%
Bottle £10.95 6 bottles with 5% off £62.42 Case with 12% off £115.63

Classic Sauvignon aromas of nettles. Green- fruited, lively and crisp but not in the least over-acidic. Perfect summer aperitif. Now-2023

Le Colombier, Touraine Sauvignon, 2021, 12.5%
Bottle £11.95 6 bottles with 5% off £68.12 Case with 12% off £126.19

Gooseberry scent – and gooseberry on the palate too, along with notes of crisp pineapple and kiwi fruit. With a lemony finish, this is correctly zippy. Now-2023.

Domaine de l’Aumonier, Touraine Sauvignon, 2020, 13.5%
Bottle £13.50 6 bottles with 5% off £76.95 Case with 12% off £142.56

From organically farmed (and certified) vines, this is a long-established best-seller here, admired for its overt fruitiness – so there are tropical fruit notes alongside the more typical citrus flavours. Plenty of volume and mouthfeel. This makes a relaxing aperitif. Now-2023.

Francis Blanchet, Pouilly-Fumé, Les Silice, 2020, 13.5%
Bottle £17.50 6 bottles with 5% off £99.75 Case with 12% off £184.80

From a small block on very flinty soils in the heart of the appellation, this is an intense and ageworthy wine. Smelling of citrus peel and hawthorn blossom, it’s intensely grapefruity. In this hot year it’s smoother and rounder than usual, but with a splendidly long, steely finish. Now-2023.

Cherrier Père et fils, Sancerre, Cuveé Grand Picot, 2019, 13.5%
Bottle £18.95 6 bottles with 5% off £108.02 Case with 12% off £200.11

This is the family’s oaked cuvée. About a fifth goes into barrel, some new, giving a dairy richness and intensity rather than “oakiness”. Rounded, voluminous, with a palate cleansing pithiness, this is fine and gastronomic – think quite richly sauced fish, chicken or veal. Now-2023. Limited stock.

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