Loire Lesson #4

Loire Lesson #4

Harvest time at Gitton

Gitton Peer & Fils, Pouilly-Fumé 2008, Clos Joanne D’Orion, 12.5%, €23.75, Karwig Wines

The grape here is Sauvignon Blanc and 2008 is regarded as one of the better years. I’ve read, though where I can’t recall, that a good Pouilly-Fumé has a pungent smell often likened to gun flint, the extra smokiness coming from the local flinty soil known as silex.

Colour is straw with tints of green while the nose is aromatic, reminiscent of white fruits. It is quite a mouthful, quite a mouthfeel, smoothly viscous and full of intense flavour with good acidity; it is long lasting on the palate with a terrific long finish.

Class in a glass. No gun smoke, by the way. Very Highly Recommended.

Domaine du Haut Perron, Guy Allion, Touraine Sauvignon Vielle Vignes 2011, 12.5%, €17.40, Bubble Bros.

Touraine, around the city of Tours, is the largest AOC in the Loire area. Though not as well known as the smaller AOCs of Sancerre and Vouvray, it produces some excellent wines and can rival Sancerre for the quality of its Sauvignon.

This dry white, from the vineyard of Guy and Cédric Allion on the slopes of the Cher River, has a couple of extras going for it. It is made from the fruits of old vines and is left on its lees for a few months. The wine makers too are committed: “We do our best to respect nature every day”.

This one has intense flavours with a fresh tingly mouthfeel, excellent acidity and a lasting finish. This aromatic (white fruits) wine is well made and Highly Recommended.

* I am heading to the Loire later in the summer. Any tips on what to see, do, (even drink!) appreciated.