LOIRE VALLEY REDS: TOURAINE vs CHINON vs SANCERRE

BARRAMUNDAYS WINE & VINYL
Red Renegades of the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is primarily known for it's fantastic white wines: Muscadet, Sancerre, Pouilly Fume, and Vouvray to name a few. However, the same soil and climate variations that create the distinctive styles of the Loire's white wines also contribute to some lovely and unique red wines with that same freshness and higher acidity. Rarely is oak used in any Loire Valley wines.

I suppose this battle may be about regions within the Loire, with two contenders hailing from the Middle Loire and one from the Upper Loire. How will these fresh and earthy reds fare against each other? And perhaps more importantly, how will they stand up to the American palate, as a group?


Domiane Sautereau, Sancerre Red 2010 
We just tasted this one in our Pinot Noir Battle a few weeks ago. Even though it's my fave, it placed last (!), probably for the very reasons I liked it: it's light, fruity/earthy with that famous Sancerre minerality. It will be interesting to taste it in a battle with its peers. This is our contender from the Upper Loire.

Clos de la Briderie, Touraine-Mesland 2009
This is a blend from the Middle Loire: 40% Cot (Malbec), 30% Gamay, 30% Cabernet Franc. This should have great berry fruit from the Gamay, green pepper from the Cab Franc, and soft tannins from the Malbec. I think.

Domaine du Colombier, Chinon 2009
100% Cabernet Franc, this wine has been in a few of our battles in the past, but again, it will be interesting to see it pitted against its brothers. Expect typical pepper/green pepper, strawberry & cherry with soft tannins.


I love the Loire Valley.

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NYC