2019 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore “Capovolto”La Marca di San Michele
Italy | Le Marche
$27
Producers
by Dustin Soiseth
2021 Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc “Unique”
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire | Val de Loire IGP
I often find writing about our most popular everyday wines to be unexpectedly difficult. These wines are beloved by our regular clients, instantly recognizable by label, well-priced, and sell briskly by the case. What more really needs to be said? “Not much,” I thought at first. “I’ll dash this off so I can focus on writing about our more illustrious wines.”
But I came to realize that this attitude was not only lazy, but wrongheaded, too. Why shouldn’t a wine like Domaine du Salvard’s piquant Sauvignon Blanc—a mainstay on our clients’ tables that’s often referred to as the “Butterfly Wine” because of the butterfly on the label—get its due? It’s lip-smackingly delicious vintage after vintage, and there’s plenty of it to go around. Quality in quantity is no mean feat. And there’s always just the right amount of crispness; it’s never flabby or austere. There are tropical notes and grassiness, as any classic Loire Sauvignon Blanc should have, but never to excess. It plays well at table with just about everything, even trickier matches like grilled asparagus or steamed artichokes. Mineral and vibrant, it enhances even the most distinctive flavors with assertive notes of citrus and blossoming flowers to leave the palate cleansed and utterly charmed.
This iconic value has become a staple whose springtime arrival we await each year. The 2021 vintage has landed on our shores, perfectly timed with the appearance of farmers’ markets and CSA boxes brimming with fresh, local produce for pairing.
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Sauvignon Blanc |
Appellation: | Val de Loire IGP |
Country: | France |
Region: | Loire |
Producer: | Domaine du Salvard |
Winemaker: | Emmanuel & Thierry Delaille |
Vineyard: | 22 years, 8 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Sand |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 12.0% |
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire | Bourgueil
Domaine Roger Neveu France | Loire | Sancerre
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire | Vin de France
Daniel Chotard France | Loire | Sancerre
Éric Chevalier France | Loire | Muscadet Côtes de Grand Lieu
The defining feature of the Loire Valley, not surprisingly, is the Loire River. As the longest river in France, spanning more than 600 miles, this river connects seemingly disparate wine regions. Why else would Sancerre, with its Kimmeridgian limestone terroir be connected to Muscadet, an appellation that is 250 miles away?
Secondary in relevance to the historical, climatic, environmental, and cultural importance of the river are the wines and châteaux of the Jardin de la France. The kings and nobility of France built many hundreds of châteaux in the Loire but wine preceded the arrival of the noblesse and has since out-lived them as well.
Diversity abounds in the Loire. The aforementioned Kimmderidgian limestone of Sancerre is also found in Chablis. Chinon, Bourgueil, and Saumur boast the presence of tuffeau, a type of limestone unique to the Loire that has a yellowish tinge and a chalky texture. Savennières has schist, while Muscadet has volcanic, granite, and serpentinite based soils. In addition to geologic diversity, many, grape varieties are grown there too: Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne are most prevalent, but (to name a few) Pinot Gris, Grolleau, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis, and Folle Blanche are also planted. These myriad of viticultural influences leads to the high quality production of every type of wine: red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert.
Like the Rhône and Provence, some of Kermit’s first imports came from the Loire, most notably the wines of Charles Joguet and Château d’Epiré—two producers who are featured in Kermit’s book Adventures on the Wine Route and with whom we still work today.
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie France | Loire | Bourgueil
Charles Joguet France | Loire | Chinon
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire | Vin de France
Domaine Michel Brégeon France | Loire | Muscadet Sèvre et Maine
Charles Joguet France | Loire | Chinon
Catherine & Pierre Breton France | Loire | Bourgeuil
Champalou France | Loire | Vouvray
Daniel Chotard France | Loire | Sancerre
Champalou France | Loire | Vouvray
Grange Saint-Sauveur France | Loire | Vin de France
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur-Champigny
Thierry Germain France | Loire | Saumur-Champigny
A good doctor prescribed the wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges to the Sun King, Louis XIV, when he suffered an unknown maladie. When the king’s health was restored the tasty remedy enjoyed a vogue at court. Lord, send me a doctor like that!
Inspiring Thirst, page 117
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol
Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/bpa