LBAUG17/1 thewinesociety.com/loire

LOIRE 2016LIGHT ON ALCOHOL, LONG ON FLAVOURREDS, WHITES & ROSÉS

From the freshest of Muscadets in the west to the smartest of sauvignon blancs in the east, with pretty chenin blancs and intriguing oddities, like chasselas and even a white pinot noir, there is plenty to share with you.

Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc, Famille Bougrier 2016Remarkably easy-drinking, fruity sauvignon in the style of Touraine but at a snip of the price. 11.5%

ref LB-LO13231 £6.50 bottle £78 dozen

NEW Vin de France ‘Le Petit Cousin’ Chenin Blanc, Famille Bougrier 2016A light, fruity, friendly chenin offering cracking value: an ideal picnic wine and summer quaffer. The introductory saving is thanks to supplier support. 12%

ref LB-LO13391 £6.50 bottle £78 dozen £5.95 introductory bottle price£71 introductory dozen priceSAVE £7 PER DOZEN

NEW Saumur Blanc ‘Les Plantagenêts’ 2016Refreshing and nicely rounded chenin blanc with hints of pineapple and citrus fruit, and bright palate-cleansing acidity. The dozen saving is thanks to supplier support. 12.5%

ref LB-LO13131 £7.75 bottle £81 special dozen price£6.75 equivalent bottle priceSAVE £12 PER DOZEN

Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, Domaine de la Renaudie 2016From one of our favourite producers, where daughter Charlotte was in charge for the first time. She did a great job too, delivering bright, peachy fruit and appetising freshness. 12%

ref LB-LO13321 £8.50 bottle £102 dozen

Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine sur Lie Château de la Templerie, Domaine Huchet 2016Like gold dust in 2016, young Jérémie Huchet’s organic Muscadet ticks all the boxes of the vintage, with lovely richness balanced by an appetising saline finish. 12%

ref LB-LO13511 £8.50 bottle £102 dozen

Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, Domaine Guénault 2016From the Bougrier family’s own estate at St Georges, Guénault makes a more tightly knit, chalky sauvignon, and is a smart buy for lovers of (much pricier) Sancerre. This wine is offered with a case saving thanks to supplier support. 12.5%

ref LB-LO13171 £8.75 bottle £90 special dozen price£7.50 equivalent bottle priceSAVE £15 PER DOZEN

Cheverny, Domaine du Salvard 2016A perennial favourite from the Delaille family, yet Cheverny is still something of an insider’s secret. The appellation stipulates majority sauvignon with a little chardonnay, and it works!This one is lime-fresh and lipsmackingly good. 12%

ref LB-LO12971 £8.95 bottle £107 dozen

Coteaux du Vendômois Le Carillon de Vendôme ‘Le Cocagne’ Chenin Blanc 2016Pristine, delicious but grown-up chenin blanc from the small co-op just outside Vendôme, with fresh appley aroma and lovely bright fruit. A treat with fish and chips! 12.5%

ref LB-LO13151 £9.50 bottle £114 dozen

SUMMER DRINKINGFor me, Loire wines are quintessential summer drinking, delivering freshness and fruit in abundance, and conjuring up images of beautiful châteaux and lazy meandering holidays bathed in sunshine. Delicious, food-friendly wines are produced the length of the Loire Valley, from mouthwatering Muscadet in the coastal west, to the racy sauvignons of the Central Vineyards and the lesser-known southerly outpost of Saint-Pourçain. At the heart of the valley, Touraine, realm of versatile chenin blanc, stylish cabernet franc and much more, offers cracking value.

With close to 90 different appellations and myriad grape varieties, ten of which we feature here, there is tremendous variety to choose from, so narrowing down my selection was no easy task! The relatively cool climate means that most wines are at the lighter end of the alcohol spectrum but pack in plenty of flavour, particularly in the fine 2016 vintage, when volumes might have been cruelly low but quality is irresistibly high!

We have put together a selection of mixed cases to help you explore the many flavours of the Loire. Whether you’re a sauvignon lover or red-only drinker, you’ll find plenty of choice, from familiar bottles to my favourite new finds.

DRY WHITES

Joanna Locke MWSociety Buyer

2

Château de Chenonceau, one of the most famous and picturesque of the Loire

Key - Bone dry to intensely sweet Screwcap Synthetic closure Organic New Vintage

Pretty pinks are particularly popular in France at the moment, and the palest of hues are the most sought-after. Our smart summer edit showcases three distinct Loire styles from the incredibly versatile off-dry Rosé d’Anjou to the stylish Sancerre from the lovely Laloue family, and a delightful blend from Touraine.

NEW Rosé d’Anjou, Château de Mauny 2016We were immediately charmed by this off-dry pink made from the local grolleau grape with a splash of gamay. Delicate and refreshing, and as good with food as without. 10.5%

ref LB-LO13441 £7.50 bottle £90 dozen

NEW Touraine Rosé, Domaine des Echardières 2016A typical foodie blend of gamay and cabernet franc with malbec (here known as côt), only lightly pressed to achieve the palest salmon-pink colour, with a clean, bright palate and a hint of pepperiness on the finish. 12.5% ref LB-LO13411 £8.95 bottle £107 dozen

Sancerre Rosé, Domaine Serge Laloue 2016A stylish and refined rosé, delicate in colour but with extra body and charm in the ripe 2016 vintage. Pure, healthy fruit with the delicate redcurrant aromas of the pinot noir grape.Now to 2018. 14%

ref LB-LO13101 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen

DRY WHITES SUMMER ROSÉS

REDS

Saint-Pourçain Blanc ‘Trésaille’, Domaine des Bérioles 2016From a tiny property in the historic, southerly appellation of Saint-Pourçain and named after the white grape tréssallier that is traditional in the area and which combines citrus fruit with an appetising salty freshness. Now to 2019. 12.5%

ref LB-LO13361 £10.95 bottle £131 dozen

NEW Val de Loire Vendée ‘Moulin Blanc’ Blanc de Noirs, Jérémie Mourat 2016Young Jérémie Mourat loves to experiment and has all the winemaking tools at his stylish ‘destination’ winery to do so successfully. Certified organic, this is pinot noir like you’ve never tasted before: made like a white wine, it has delicate red and white currant fruit and lovely freshness. Now to 2019. 13%

ref LB-LO13401 £11.95 bottle £143 dozen

Reuilly Les Pierres Plates, Domaine Denis Jamain 2016A fine alternative to its Central Vineyards’ neighbour Sancerre, this is a pristine, flinty and mineral-hewn single-vineyard sauvignon blanc of great finesse. Now to 2018. 12.5%

ref LB-LO13351 £11.95 bottle £143 dozen

NEW Pouilly-sur-Loire Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de Riaux 2016A rare beast these days, Pouilly-sur-Loire is made from the chasselas grape and here, at its best and from old vines, it has the scent of fresh ripe pears and white flowers, lifted by appetising freshness on the palate. Now to 2018. 12%

ref LB-LO13371 £12.50 bottle £150 dozen

Touraine Chenonceaux ‘La Long Bec’, Domaine des Echardières 2016 From one of the newest appellations in France and the president of the appellation, no less! Picking at optimum ripeness is just one of the strict principles followed here, producing ripe stone-fruit aromas and real length of flavour in this delicious sauvignon blanc. Now to 2019. 13%

ref LB-LO13341 £13.50 bottle £162 dozen

NEW Quincy ‘Vignes d’Antan’, Domaine Jacques Rouzé 2016Like Reuilly, Quincy is another Central Vineyards appellation offering a good alternative to Sancerre. The style in this case is riper, with generous peachy fruit, its extra depth thanks to its septuagenarian vines. Now to 2019. 13%

ref LB-LO13421 £13.95 bottle £167 dozen

With the accent on fruity freshness, soft tannins and perfume, Loire reds make great summer drinking, particularly when served just slightly chilled. While cabernet franc is the valley’s real speciality (and still under-appreciated in my view), gamay, pinot noir and malbec (côt) complete the picture and are all represented below.

Val de Loire Pinot Noir ‘Le Chapitre’, Réthoré Davy 2016From the western Loire and a tiny, historic vineyard area, this is a fresh young pinot, vibrant in colour, with bright, cherry-scented fruit. 12.5%

ref LB-LO13011 £7.95 bottle £95 dozen

Touraine Gamay Les Guinetières, Domaine de la Renaudie 2016This is a juicy old-vines cuvée of gamay, with ripe red-fruit flavours and a touch of spice you don’t find in gamays from further south. Serve cool with anything from a picnic to a steak. 12.5%

ref LB-LO13331 £8.25 bottle £99 dozen

Touraine Rouge ‘Le Bécassou’, Domaine des Echardières 2016This juicy blend of majority gamay, with 15% each cabernet franc and malbec, and a (quite legal!) splash of the über-ripe 2015 for consistency and mid-palate weight, is ideal served on the cooler side with charcuterie or sausages. 12.5%

ref LB-LO13311 £8.95 bottle £107 dozen

Anjou Rouge ‘L’Ardoise’, Domaine des Rochelles 2016Now fully certified organic, the Lebreton family’s range starts with this light, fresh, brasserie-style cabernet franc, made to be drunk young and fruity. 12.5%

ref LB-LO13181 £8.95 bottle £107 dozen

NEW Bourgueil ‘Passion’, Joël Taluau 2016From a producer we have rediscovered after a long absence, this is a drop-dead gorgeous and infinitely approachable Bourgueil, with ripe, fleshy black-fruit flavours and soft tannins showing off the cabernet franc grape in all its glory. 13%

ref LB-LO13521£8.95 bottle £107 dozen

Chinon ‘Le Logis de la Bouchardière’, Domaine Serge et Bruno Sourdais 2016Sourdais only made one cabernet franc in this cruelly low-yielding vintage, and most of that came from the better-placed vineyards: lovely bright fruit and real purity of flavour. 13%

ref LB-LO13161 £9.95 bottle £119 dozen

3To order thewinesociety.com/loire 01438 741177

MINIMUM PURCHASE APPLIESThewinesociety.com/collect

Vines in Sancerre at the Eastern extremeties of the Loire

This offer is open until Sunday 10th September, 2017 while stocks last.

To order thewinesociety.com/loire 01438 741177

2016 NEW FINDS MIXED CASE Buyer Joanna Locke MW’s latest and most exciting discoveries. One bottle of each of the six wines below:

REDS

Anjou Rouge ‘L’Ardoise’, Domaine des Rochelles 2016

Bourgueil ‘Passion’, Joël Taluau 2016

ROSÉ

Rosé d’Anjou, Château de Mauny 2016

WHITES

Vin de France ‘Le Petit Cousin’ Chenin Blanc, Famille Bougrier 2016

Val de Loire Vendée ‘Moulin Blanc’ Blanc de Noirs, Jérémie Mourat 2016

Pouilly-sur-Loire Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de Riaux 2016

ref LB-MX17154

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MIXED CASES FREE UK DELIVERY

2016 LOIRE REDS The fresh, young red credentials of a predominantly white region, featuring one bottle of each of the six wines below:

Touraine Gamay Les Guinetières, Domaine de la Renaudie 2016

Val de Loire Pinot Noir ‘Le Chapitre’, Réthoré Davy 2016

Touraine Rouge ‘Le Bécassou’, Domaine des Echardières 2016

Anjou Rouge ‘L’Ardoise’, Domaine des Rochelles 2016

Bourgueil ‘Passion’, Joël Taluau 2016

Chinon ‘Le Logis de la Bouchardière’, Domaine Serge et Bruno Sourdais 2016

ref LB-MX17153 £53

£56

EXPLORE LOIRE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016A homecoming for the world’s most popular grape in six bottles, one of each of the following:

Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc, Famille Bougrier 2016

Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, Domaine de la Renaudie 2016

Cheverny, Domaine du Salvard 2016

Reuilly Les Pierres Plates, Domaine Denis Jamain 2016

Touraine Chenonceaux ‘La Long Bec’, Domaine des Echardières 2016

Quincy ‘Vignes d’Antan’, Domaine Jacques Rouzé 2016

ref LB-MX17155 £62.50

EXPLORE LOIRE 2016 MIXED DOZENTravel the length of the Loire in this 12-bottle case, containing one bottle of each of the following wines:

WHITES

Vin de France ‘Le Petit Cousin’ Chenin Blanc, Famille Bougrier 2016

Saumur Blanc ‘Les Plantagenêts’ 2016

Cheverny, Domaine du Salvard 2016

Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine sur Lie Château de la Templerie, Domaine Huchet 2016

Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, Domaine Guénault 2016

Pouilly-sur-Loire Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de Riaux 2016

Saint-Pourçain ‘Trésaille’, Domaine des Bérioles 2016

ROSÉS

Rosé d’Anjou, Château de Mauny 2016

Touraine Rosé, Domaine des Echardières 2016

REDS

Anjou Rouge ‘L’Ardoise’, Domaine des Rochelles 2016

Touraine Gamay Les Guinetières, Domaine de la Renaudie 2016

Val de Loire Pinot Noir ‘Le Chapitre’, Réthoré Davy 2016

ref LB-MX17156 £99.50 A SAVING

OF £6