12% alc./vol. - Vouvray AC, Loire, France - $16.95 in Ontario (140624)

7.5 Grapes

Straw coloured to the eye, a cute little drinker.  Some of the Chenin familiars are here in this medium-dry quaffer. Picture drinking warm honey, with moderate-high playful acidity under a light-medium weight frame.  Straddles fruit lines too, packed with nectarcot (apricot+nectarine, my own invented fruit), plus a little dirty funk to it.  Kewl Riesling alternative for those with apricot-tofu tagine ready.

Ch. de Valmer seems named to draw those who would buy Grand Cru Chablis from Valmur… I talked to at least 20 people in line who thought so. :/ (JW)

12.5% alc - AC Sancerre, Loire, France - $27.95 in Ontario (65573)

8 Grapes

Finely herbal, delicate nose, generously offering fresh-cut grass, asparagus head, and a gently-stony essence (a child’s schoolyard stone-pit settling after recess).  Juicy quince and gooseberry on the palate with a ripe and [very] lightly creamy mouthfeel.  Devout NZSB drinkers take note– this could be a conversion wine if looking to explore French Sauv. Blanc. (JW)

13.5% alc. - AC St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Loire, France - $20.95 in Ontario (82297)

8.5 Grapes

This is how I like my Cabernet Franc… simply successful.  Magenta-ruby for the eye, intently charged tobacco and blackberry licorice for the nose, and great replays of gritty herbal pipe and raspberry leaf for the palate.  Weighs less than the labelled alcohol indicates with fine length and staying power.  Paired with lamb shank and roasted peppers/onions to some success.  Drink now to 2013. (JW)

13.0% alc. - AC Pouilly-Fumé, Loire, France - $26.95 in Ontario (653154)

8.5 Grapes

I don’t smoke, but I’ll be damned if I don’t love [responsibly] huffing-in the bouquet of a good Pouilly-Fumé.  The bright, light-straw to pale gold colour is pretty standard.  This wine takes off with a great nose of grass, quince, kiwi, and a fair waft of stony smoke.  A very respectable palate takes most of what the nose boasted, adding a fair shake of smoke, wet stone, and lemon grass.  The engaging, palpable seam of [oxymoronic] quick-but-slightly-mellowed-acidity sells it.  It means business.  Light-medium weight with very nice length.  A complete Sauvignon Blanc that manages to relax me.  Oysters please, I’m ready. (JW)

13.5% alc - AC Saumur, Loire, France - $15.95 in Ontario (103879)

8 Grapes

I’d love some more Saumur.  Richly extracted (deep purple) and maybe a touch heavier than Loire Cab Franc should be, but still very appealing.  Cigar box, graphite and damp moss/mushroom are the first aromas to punch through this deep-earthy bouquet.  Miners should feel at home here.  Very dry, fine, gripping tannin loosens up after some time, releasing Damson plum and floral tones.  Medium+ body with an eye for sirloin-tipped slow-cooked roast.  Great value!  Drink now-2012ish. (JW)