Pucker up for Cheverny

Cheverny is an appellation (wine producing region) of France's eastern Loire Valley.  White wine is primarily made in this neck of the woods.  Sauvignon Blanc is the main grape.  Ever heard of Pouilly Fume?  This area,  to the Southeast of Cheverny also uses Sauvignon Blanc.

Cheverny white wine is nothing like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or Sauvi-Blancs from California.  The style is very lean, racy and tangy (i.e. 'pucker up).

These wines are fine with shellfish or as a lunch time wine with cold cut sandwiches.

One to try:
Domaine du Salvard Cheverny AOC, 2002 ($12)
Light straw-yellow in color
Tangy & earthy scents of granny smith apple, wet grass and minerals
In the mouth it's very tangy with a tart citrus/herbal quality.  Very light with a moderately long finish
*** (3 stars out of 5)

Comments

[LeDom du VIn]

Hi Basic Juice,

I like your blog and follow it from time to time, keep up the good job.

However, I think that it will have been important to add that Chardonnay usually complement Sauvignon Blanc in white Cheverny wines, and that is the only Loire appellations authorized to do it.

You may find some patches of Chardonnay vines here and there in the Loire (i.e.: around Nantes and in certain VDP(s), but Cheverny is the only one to combine both grape varieties.

Cheers!

LeDom du Vin (www.ledomduvin.com)