Highly Unusual, Extremely Satisfying
Rating: One of the most satisfying, intriguing, and interesting whites to come along in quite a while. Sunshine in a glass. Rare and on the pricey side. $27
The Rest Of The Story: (Big thanks to Frank at Spagio Cellars for steering us towards this gem.) The Chinon winegrowing region is a pocket of red wine vineyards in the predominately white grape Loire valley. Famous for its Cab Franc, Chinon is almost exclusively red. But then there's this wine - an island on a lake on an island. Only 2% of Chinon is planted to Chenin Blanc. Which maybe explains why fewer than 90 cases of this stuff were imported...
On the first warm day of spring it seemed fitting to open a wine that offers a preview summer. And this wine radiates the energy of spring - of new life, rebirth, and a return to catching a buzz at sunset on the back deck.
You've never been to the Loire, either, eh? Want to? Pick up a bottle of this stuff, close your eyes, and take a sip. It may just transport you to a place you've never been.
There is so much going on in the nose - nectar/floral scents and a preview of the acids. Then the taste - zing! - lovely. Greater body and complexity than the pale color would lead you to believe. Crisp, fresh, and layered, this is truly a sensational wine. Its only detractors are its price and scarcity.
Sure, $27 is a lot to pay for a white, but consider this one a special occasion - a celebratory wine. The sun is shining again. That's worth celebrating, isn't it?
Rating: One of the most satisfying, intriguing, and interesting whites to come along in quite a while. Sunshine in a glass. Rare and on the pricey side. $27
The Rest Of The Story: (Big thanks to Frank at Spagio Cellars for steering us towards this gem.) The Chinon winegrowing region is a pocket of red wine vineyards in the predominately white grape Loire valley. Famous for its Cab Franc, Chinon is almost exclusively red. But then there's this wine - an island on a lake on an island. Only 2% of Chinon is planted to Chenin Blanc. Which maybe explains why fewer than 90 cases of this stuff were imported...
On the first warm day of spring it seemed fitting to open a wine that offers a preview summer. And this wine radiates the energy of spring - of new life, rebirth, and a return to catching a buzz at sunset on the back deck.
You've never been to the Loire, either, eh? Want to? Pick up a bottle of this stuff, close your eyes, and take a sip. It may just transport you to a place you've never been.
There is so much going on in the nose - nectar/floral scents and a preview of the acids. Then the taste - zing! - lovely. Greater body and complexity than the pale color would lead you to believe. Crisp, fresh, and layered, this is truly a sensational wine. Its only detractors are its price and scarcity.
Sure, $27 is a lot to pay for a white, but consider this one a special occasion - a celebratory wine. The sun is shining again. That's worth celebrating, isn't it?