Some recent Loires

 Turbulent – Sauvion Préambule (front and back labels)

A quick round up of a few recently drunk Loire bottles. To start with the nicely punning white sparkler from Sauvion – now part of Grands Chais de France. This vin mousseux de qualité comes from Château du Cléray in Vallet in the heart of the Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine appellation. The blend is 45% Folle Blanche (locally called Gros Plant) from vines on 'silico argileux' (clayey sand), 55% Chardonnay on gneiss and 5% Cabernet Franc on limestone. Quite creamy this makes an attractive, easy drinking, fresh apéritif. 

Staying with bubbles we opened a bottle of Triple Zéro Rosé (Jacky Blot) to celebrate Lizzie Armitstead's silver medal. I suppose it really ought to have been the white Triple Zero to celebrate the Silver but the Rosé was already in the fridge, chilled and to hand. Made from 50% Gamay and 50% Grolleau Noir, this hit the spot as usual with its delicate red fruits and crisp acidity. 

2007 Sancerre Rouge, Henry Natter

2007 was not an easy vintage for Loire reds – the wines needed to be made in an easy drinking style while trying to avoid extracting too much tannin. This 2007 Sancerre Rouge (12.5% alc) from Henry Natter in Montigny at the extreme west of the appellation is still drinking very well. Light Pinot Noir colour and a light silky texture it has charming spicy fruit. Probably time to drink it up over the next year or so. 

2011 Le Pied de la Butte, Bourgueil, Jacky Blot Domaine de la Butte 

This deliciously easy drinking Bourgueil is a current favourite – probably not for much longer as the case is rapidly disappearing. Le Pied de la Butte is always Jacky's easy drinking and early bottled Bourgueil. It sees no wood instead matured in stainless steel tanks and bottled in April. Juicy red fruits with some concentration – all the pleasure of drinking a youthful Cabernet Franc!