The Loire River winds its way through north-central France. From its start near the center of the country all the delta at the Atlantic, vines are grown on its banks. The climate in the area is right on the edge of being to cold for vines to grow, and the river provides just a little extra warmth, which makes winemaking in this area possible. Grapes have been grown here since the Romans invaded, and, at one point in time, wines from the Loire were considered the best in the world.

The modern Loire still makes excellent wines, from dozens of AOCs along the length of the river. Because the area is so big, it’s often though of in three regions: the lower, middle and upper Loire. Within the upper Loire are two very famous wine producing areas: Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Both regions lie at the far east end of the Loire, across the river from each other, with Sancerre on the west and Pouilly-Fumé on the east side.

Sancerre was one of the original areas of France to be awarded AOC status, which should be no surprise given its worldwide fame. The grapes of this region are the dominant Sauvignon Blanc and the lesser-used Pinot Noir. Though Pinot Noir is produced in this area, it’s almost always simple and light, Sancerre Rouge. The real star of the show here is the white Sauvignon Blanc. The grape takes well to the areas chalky soil and hillsides, which allow more light to penetrate the vineyards and allow cooler air to sink off the hillside vineyards into the valleys below. The wines produced in this classic French area were once seen only as easy-drinking bistro wines. However, a concerted effort to move toward quality wine production began in the 1970’s and the region re-positioned itself as a leader in high-quality white wine production. Today the wines are generally very dry, with intense aromas of nectarines and white berries.

Across the banks of the river from Sancerre lies Pouilly-Fumé. (If that name seems familiar it’s because Sauvignon Blanc from California has been re-billed as Fume Blanc) This AOC also grows Sauvignon Blanc and produces incredibly crisp, racy wines. The soil in the vineyards is noted for containing silex, a flint, which is said to give the wines a decidedly mineral-like aroma and flavor. The flint is also supposed to give the wine a certain “smoky” or “gunflint” aroma, which is thought to have christened the name of the region, as Fumé means “smoke” in French.

Fine Wine, French Wine, International Wine Loire, Pouilly-fume, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc

The South Island of New Zealand is an improbable place to find “the best in the world” of any type of wine. Consider that the area began producing quality wine with any seriousness in the 1970’s. Yet the Kiwis were able to successfully match a single grape to a geographic area—and get modern winemaking ideas in place. It’s quite remarkable. So is Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. This gem of the New Zealand wine crown is not the only show in town though, there are excellent wines coming from all four wine regions of New Zealand’s South Island.

The smallest wine area on the South Island is also the farthest north (remember, we’re below the equator so north = warmer) The little area of Nelson doesn’t yet have the international recognition of its neighbor Marlborough, but its certainly on its way. The area lies in gentle rolling hills and enjoys the climatic regulation of the Tasman Bay. Wine production in the area is small, but focused on quality wine. Delicate, balanced Pinot Noir is the main red production and vibrant, flinty Chardonnay is the main white—along with some Riesling and Pinot Gris.

The world famous Marlborough lies on the northeast corner of the South Island, adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and rimmed by mountain ranges. The vineyards of Marlborough lie on broad alluvial plain that is home to some of the worlds best Sauvignon Blanc and quite respectable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. More than 60% of the countries vineyards are in Marlborough. The regions climate is exceptional with very long sunny days and cool nights that help the grapes to retain the acid structure, which is such a hallmark of Marlborough Sav Blanc. The wines are generally very intense and pure with a balance of fruit and acid that is unparalleled.

Canterbury and Waipara two areas which are often grouped together as a single wine producing district. Both areas lie on the eastern coast of the island, south of the Marlborough region, near the city of Christchurch. Both areas produce predominately Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with Riesling the third most planted. The best area is in Waipara, in and around the Omihi Hills where quality Pinot Noir is the choice product.

Fun fact: Otaga is the southernmost wine region in the world. Otaga is unique on the South Island in that it is located in the interior, well away from any coast. Otaga is a geographically complex area with a true continental climate. This means there are significant temperature variations and well defined seasons with cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers. Today the area is producing some of the most exciting Pinot Noir in all of New Zealand. The land under production is rising quickly and the quality of the wine is surprisingly good. In good time this area will most likely be as synonymous with Pinot Noir in NZ as Marlborough is with Sauvignon Blanc.

Fine Wine, International Wine, Pinot Noir Marlborough, New Zealand, Otaga, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, South Island

Wine Club Insider back, yet again!

Well, it’s the middle of winter, but wine is the gift that keeps on giving! I just got my Pepperbridge Wine Club shipment – www.pepperbridge.com- three bottles of their famous Seven Hills Vineyard Cab, and had to try one, even as young as it is. Let me tell you, if you haven’t tried Pepperbridge, you’re missing out! This Walla Walla winery is among the best I’ve tasted, vintage in and vintage out… between Seven Hills (rated as one of the best USA vineyards) and their Pepperbridge Vineyard, they have the foundation and terroir to make some of the best reds in the USA, and they do. Awesome!

Well now, we’ve touched on some of the world famous red wine grapes… let’s look at the top two whites of Bordeaux:

By far the largest planted and popular white wine is… NOT Chardonnay! That’s right! Especially in France, Chard runs a distant fourth or even fifth, behind Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Ugni Blanc (also called Trebbiano – the most popular white wine world wide, though it is very close with the Spanish-based white wine Airen) abd Muscadelle.

Sauignon Blanc is one of the true indigenous grapes of France, and gets its name from the words “Sauvage” (wild) and “Blanc” (white), and is a green skinned white grape, often described as “crisp,” “elegant” and “fresh.” It can range in taste from somewhat grassy to almost tropical and fruity, and makes wines ranging from dry to the very sweet dessert wines of Barsac and Sauternes.

The Sauv Blancs of New Zealand have risen to prominence as some of the world’s best, and it is grown almost everywhere.

Semillon (pronounced SEM -ee-on) is another famous white wine grape, and the wine it produces range from the very dry Bordeaux Blanc, to the sticky sweet, world famous dessert wines of Sauterne, made famous by Chateau d Y’quem. For the sweet varieties, it is exposed to Botrytis Cinerea, or “Noble Rot,” which basically turns it in to a giant raisin. d’Yquem’s website is at http://www.yquem.fr/yquem.php?lang=uk, and it is truly one of the most spectacular wines in the world, and one of my all time favorites. I actually plan to do an entire posting on this magnificent winery sometime soon… I mean, there aren’t that many wineries that still have verticals back to 1860 in perfect condition!

Back to talk about Chard tomorrow!

Cheers,

Wine Club Insider out.

Bordeaux, Chardonnay, Dessert Wine, Fine Wine, French Wine, International Wine, Sweet Wine, Vineyards, Vintage Wine, White Wine, Wine Cellar, Wine Club, Wine Education, Wine Lovers, Wine Making, Wine Reviews, Wine Storage Bordeaux, Chateau d' Yquem, Pepperbridge Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, Semilon, Seven Hills Vineyard, WHite wines