France white wine « Wilson on Wines

Posts Tagged France white wine

Domaine de la Chauvinière, Muscadet de Sèvre & Maine Sur Lie 2014

Posted by admin on June 17, 2016

Domaine de la Chauvinière, Muscadet de Sèvre & Maine Sur Lie 2014
€13.95 (2nd bottle ½ price) from O’Briens

Muscadet is so much more interesting than Picpoul de Pinet, often called the Muscadet of the south, and currently very fashionable. Picpoul is a good crisp dry white wine. In the hands of a clever winemaker, it can be a little better than that, but most of those on offer come from one large producer. Muscadet on the other hand, is also be light, crisp and dry, but it can offer so much more. The really good ones (which sadly cost over €15) have a depth and complexity you will never find in a Picpoul. The Chauvinière is made by one of the best growers in the region. It has a lovely leesy touch, some lemon zest, and delicious light apple fruits. Perfect summer drinking, and great value for money.

Tags: Domaine de la Chauviniere, France white wine, Loire Valley, Muscadet, Muscadet de Sevre & Maine, O'Briens

Posted in: Daily Drop

Bergerac Blanc 2015, Mayne de Beauregard.

Posted by admin on June 10, 2016

Bergerac Blanc 2015, Mayne de Beauregard.
€11.79 from Marks & Spencer

Clean waxy yellow apple fruit with plenty of aroma and verve. Great value at €11.79 too.

A good all-rounder to drink with fish, seafood and lighter pasta dishes, as well as white meats.

Down in southwest France, in a large area that includes Bordeaux and Bergerac, they have always done things slightly differently. Here Sauvignon Blanc is always blended with Sémillon, a lesser known and very underrated grape variety. Sauvignon is fresh and crisp, whereas Sémillon is lower in acidity and broader in the palate. Blend the two together and you get the perfect combination, often much more interesting than a plain Sauvignon. This week’s wine, from Marks & Spencer, is a mix of 80% Sauvignon and 20% Sémillon from Bergerac.

Tags: Bergerac, Bergerac Blanc, France white wine, Marks & Spencer, Mayne de Beauregard

Posted in: Daily Drop

Bougrier Les Hauts Lieux Chenin Blanc 2015, Vin de France

Posted by admin on June 3, 2016

Bougrier Les Hauts Lieux Chenin Blanc 2015, Vin de France
12%
€13.95 from O’Briens

We know our Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, and some even Riesling, but how many of you have tried out Chenin Blanc? This is one of the world’s great white grapes, producing excellent long-lived wines, mainly in the Loire Valley and South Africa. Some are very sweet, others bone dry. This attractive very well-priced version has lovely clean peach and apple fruits with good crisp acidity, and a slightly off-dry finish. Perfect summer drinking at a great price.

Tags: Bougrier, Chenin Blanc, Famille Bougrier, France white wine, Les Hauts Lieux, Loir Valley, O'Briens

Posted in: Daily Drop