Reuilly is a real gem for lovers of classic Loire Sauvignon. It offers the dazzling mineral finesse of nearby Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, but its wines come at a more affordable price. It's a bit of a rescue story, in fact. In the 1970s, its wines almost disappeared and the little that was produced was only enjoyed locally. Enter Claude Lafond – the saviour of Reuilly. He encouraged the planting of vines, established a shared winemaking facility for all Reuilly producers, and built an impressive, modern winery at Domaine Claude Lafond.
Now run by his daughter, Nathalie, the domaine is farmed organically and continues to go from strength to strength – just like Reuilly itself. La Raie is crisp and elegant. Ideal with goat's cheese.
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Top Soave is a revelation – it offers delicately nuanced fruit, creamy body and stony freshness that enable the wines to age gracefully. You find all this and more in this sensational white from local star winemaker Antonio Fattori. Wine Advocate says “his white Soave expressions are the true standouts”. He searches out Garganega grapes from the slopes of Monte Calvarina, the volcanic soils of which lend a bright minerality to the wine. Hand picking is as essential on these steep slopes as it is for quality, while lees stirring in old oak vats lends a creamy roundness and texture to this terrific wine. Delicate apricot with wild herb notes of sage make this an exciting white. Gently chill and serve with fine white meat or fish dishes.
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Our Buyers have long been good friends with Javier Murúa - he makes our best-selling Rioja, Barón de Barbón. We were delighted when, a few years back, he decided to explore further afield and has set up a winery in Galicia's prized Riás Baixas region. It lies in the beautiful village of Meis, close to an ancient monastery. They work closely with 250 growers, tending 80 hectares of vines, all in the Salnés region, to obtain the highest-quality fruit.
Albariño is a top-performing variety of Spain. It produces the breezy, citrus freshness that Sauvignon drinkers adore, yet has a bit more weight, length and structure to satisfy. This wine is thoroughly delicious right now. Terrific on its own or enjoy with fish or light noodle dishes.
Winzer Krems in Niederösterreich is one of the best known wine addresses for dry white wines in Austria. Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are the typical star grapes here, but the Sauvignon Blanc is equally ravishing and fresh. The soil of its loess terraces, where these grapes grow, brings a rounder, fuller bodied style to Sauvignon Blanc, while minimal intervention in the cellar ensures the purest fruit in the wine.
This crisp white won Gold for its 2016 vintage and the 2020 is tasting just as dazzlingly fresh. Danaris Sauvignon Blanc is a great example of the region's mastery at making elegant, dry white wines; a hugely enjoyable and refreshing glassful on its own or with a spring vegetable risotto or paired with many sorts of seafood.
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Wine International magazine decreed, “the revival of Muscadet is coming from growers like Gadais”, a 4th-generation estate, run today by father and son, Christophe and Pierre-Henri Gadais. It was founded in 1952 by Louis Gadais – one of the first winemakers in Nantes to bottle his own wines (most was sold to merchants in bulk). La Grande Réserve du Moulin is their top cuvée, using the best bunches of Melon de Bourgogne (the only grape permitted in Muscadet) from their vineyards. It’s a fine white aged sur lie, meaning it’s left for months on its fine lees to add subtle creamy complexity to the floral apple and pear fruit. 2023 was an exceptional vintage for Muscadet, as grapes were picked during the September heatwave. An ace seafood white.
Our Languedoc buyer, Mark Hoddy, was in Corbières's Fabrezan cellar, tasting through the vintage. One white stood way out, so good, he insisted on visiting the grower. The upshot is this glorious, rich oaked white with ripe peach freshness.
If you enjoy quality wine and appreciate value, southern France has a lot to offer. There is a myriad of appellations and producers to get to know. And fewer rules to follow, so winemakers can be creative. We have been wending our way around villages and vineyards there since the late 1960s so we know where to look and have many invaluable connections.
Yannick Pons of Domaine Saint André has a beautiful estate, skirted by the Canal du Midi and the Roman road Via Domitia. It's not far from the famous Oppidum (hilltop town) d’Ensérune, which dates back some 3,000 years. This is prime Chardonnay country, producing lovely, pure, creamy peach fruit in this modern style white. It’s perfect on its own or with salads, fish dishes or roast chicken.
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