Loire, France

Aromas of fresh mown grass, nettles and tart gooseberries are followed by a richly flavoured palate with a good concentration of fruit and dry typically Sauvignon finish. The wine has a great balance of ripeness and freshness with underlying minerality - just what Touraine Sauvignon should be.

Joseph Drouard and his son Christophe make classic Muscadet from 16 hectares of vines with an average age of 35 years situated on Silican clay around the commune of Monnieres. The wine is vinified at 21 degrees in underground glass lined vats and the wine rests on its lees throughout the winter. It is not fined and just receives a light filtration prior to bottling.

100% from 20ha of Domaine vineyards, a wonderful, fragrant nose and a very pretty, juicy, ripe palate.

An unoaked Chinon with youthful wild berry fruit, supple chalky tannins and a refreshing Cabernet Franc tang on the long finish.

Less well known than near neighbours, Pouilly Fume and Sancerre, Quincy lies on the eastern end of the Loire. Domaine de Chevilly is made by Yves Lestourgie in 20 hectares of 20 year old vines. His wife, Antoine, is a qualified oenologist and her influence can be seen in the winery , where the wines are left on the lees in tank until just before bottling. This adds an extra dimension of concentration and richness.

This is a very delicious and appealing Chinon made from Cabernet Franc. Fragrant crunchy red fruits.

This is a wonderful, bone dry but forward Vouvray from a very top domaine that is certified organic and fully biodynamic. Soft, perfumed stone fruit and melon flavours with complexity and balance.

Yannick Amirault is regarded as one of the top winemakers of the Loire. Layers of crisp, raspberry fruit, smooth tannins and balance.

Pale yellow with a beautiful sheen. Nose: Intense with light aromas of passion fruit, peach and citrus. Palate: Harmonious and predominantly floral with a mixture of light peach and citrus aromas, wrapped in lovely minerality on the finish.

A wonderful example of wild Chenin Blanc. Medium-bodied with classic honey and almond aromas, the palate has a rich, lush texture with clean flavours of green apples, pears and marzipan.