Touraine Sauvignon has long provided an affordable yet authentic and stylish alternative to the Loire’s most famous-name wines. And the fabulously fresh wines of Patrick Vauvy are no exception. He took over his family’s estate in 1985, scrutinised every stage of production in the vineyard and cellar, and now makes some of the best wines for miles around. Just try his dazzling 2022 Sauvignon Blanc.

Thanks to Patrick's insistence on waiting until the last possible moment to harvest from his perfect chalk and clay vineyards, this super-crisp white bursts with flavour. Think intense lemon, grapefruit and blossom. Endlessly refreshing, and with a great length too. Loire Sauvignon without the hefty Sancerre price tag. Great solo or with seafood.

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.

You couldn’t hope to find Sauvignon of this quality for the price in any of the Loire’s more famous regions, like Sancerre or Pouilly. Blended from the year’s tastiest vats, this wine is as subtle and complex as it is refreshing and zingy. It’s made exclusively for us by our trusted friend Franck Chatelain at Noël Bougrier’s renowned cellar in the Touraine. The original Abbesse was one Louise de Bourbon of the nearby Abbaye de Fontevraud and a major figure in Loire history. This delicious expression of the region’s reigning grape, Sauvignon Blanc, is a fitting tribute to her. With its appealing, crisp, lemony fruit and zippy freshness, it’s delicious on its own any time and goes ever so well with goat’s cheese and lighter fish dishes.