DOMAINE VINCENT RICARD, ‘LE PETIOT’, TOURAINE, LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE, 2020

Organic

Words cannot describe how much I love this expression of Sauvignon Blanc from Vincent Ricard.

Sauvignon Blanc has always been a funny one for me. It can be mass produced, full of sugar and very overripe flavours. This example however is quite the opposite.

This is made from around 30 year old vines from the Touraine region of the Loire Valley and saw a slow fermentation at low temperatures and then saw ageing in a combination of steel and oak for 4 years.

It's delicious, full of fresh citrus fruits, orange blossom and wild flowers. I love that it's not overtly gooseberry, but has a lovely minerality to it too. The palate is medium bodied, with a fresh acidity and a mouth watering feel.

Vincent Ricard’s father founded the co-operative of Oisly-Thesée in 1958, and Vincent was a member there before deciding to set up on his own in 1999, having worked with Philippe Alliet in Chinon where he learned all about organic practices, and Claude Levasseur (Francois Chidaine’s uncle) in Montlouis. (Info from www.vinetrail.co.uk)

Wine available direct from www.vinetrail.co.uk - price on request.