Sauvignon Blanc de Loire Ambassadors 2012

Picking Sauvignon Blanc in Touraine August 2011

18 wines from AOC Touraine and Vins de Pays du Val de Loire 2011 vintage have been selected as Ambassador wines for the Sauvignon Blanc de Loire project this year.  

The selection tasting was led by Sam Harrop MW, who is the consultant to the project, took place in the Loire in early March.  The panel featured UK wine journalists Tim Atkin MW, Charles Metcalfe and Jamie Goode, and wine consultant Annette Scarfe.

The panel chose the wines which best represent the quality, diversity and terroir of Sauvignon Blanc de Loire and wines which they consider have the best commercial chances of success in the British market.  

Sam Harrop@Domaine Joël Delaunay in 2009

Harrop commented:

“The percentage of 2011 Ambassadors selected from the wines entered was very similar to last year, when we were looking at the easier 2010 vintage. Most winemakers coped very well this year, and some fantastic wines were produced - confirmation that, with more technical knowledge and understanding of the UK market’s needs, producers in the Loire are seeing much greater consistency in quality from one vintage to the next.  Good news for retailers and sommeliers.”

The tasting is part of the Sauvignon Blanc de Loire Project which is run by InterLoire, managed by a local oenological technical team and employs Harrop as its international consultant. The main purpose is to create a better profile for Sauvignon Blanc de Loire, and to raise the region’s image in order to increase the perception and value of the wines on the UK market. 

Sauvignon Blanc de Loire Ambassadors 2012

IGP / Vin de Pays du Val de Loire

Domaine Auguste Bonhomme, cuvée Jean de La Roche

Caves du Haut Poitou, cuvée Brumes de Loire

Vignerons de la Vallée du Cher, cuvée La Marinière

Vignoble Cogné

Château de Fresne

Ackerman, cuvée Ackerman

Henri Bourgeois, cuvée Petit Bourgeois

AOP /AOC Touraine

Domaine Octavie, cuvée Prestige d’Octavie

Domaine de la Renne, cuvée l’Expression

Domaine des Corbillières

Domaine de La Renaudie

Domaine Joël Delaunay

Domaine Pré Baron, cuvée L’Elégante

Domaine Pré Baron, cuvée Domaine Pré Baron

Complices de Loire, cuvée Pointe d’Agrumes, FX Barc

Domaine Villebois, cuvée Villebois Prestige

Alpha Loire Domaines, cuvée Domaine de La Croix Bouquie

SCEA Les Hauts Lieux, cuvée Domaine Guenault

Unfortunately this week's frost is likely to make the 2012 vintage short but also difficult.