1997 moulin touchais, coteaux du layon

Chenin Blanc

History documents that the first sweet wines were produced along the banks of the Layon in 1579, with Dutch merchants encouraging their production, since they appeared to have the stamina to survive the journey by boat back to the Low Countries. Whilst the family Touchais cannot claim to have pioneered the production of moelleux, their ancestors were certainly making wine as far back as 1787. That’s eight generations so far, and counting… The first six were situated not within the town, but in Tigné, the location of the original Moulin and it was from here that the original vineyard holding was built up, mostly to support the requirements for Cuisse de Bergère, a hugely successful inexpensive branded rosé that was developed by Joseph Touchais in the late 1940s and around the same period the business was transferred to the cellars in Doué-La-Fontaine. One of the best vintages of the decade there are some wonderfully tropical elements as well as plenty of Botrytis evident. Pairs perfectly with Crème Brulee, Pate or strong cheeses.

£50.00

2012 quarts de chaume, baumard, half bottle

Chenin Blanc

We have a soft spot for the incredible Chenin Blancs from Baumard and gems such as this truly spectacular wine highlight the quality of winemaking at this Domaine.  Baumard eschew traditional trellising methods for this part of the Loire and have also flown in the face of tradition by switching excluisively to screwcaps for their range.  The Quarts de Chaume vineyard enjoys a superb terroir and a unique situation producing wines of rare elegance.  This remarkable wine is wonderfuly textured and manages to comine power and clarity alongside richness and precision. Complex with floral bouquets and notes of citrus and orchard fruit with impeccable acidity, this is a wine to savour.

£32.00

2015 sancerre la pente, emile balland, magnum

Sauvignon Blanc

This tiny 6.5 hectare domaine in the Loire was started by Emile Balland in 1999. The Ballands have been making wines in the Loire since 1650 and his father was instrumental in achieving recognition for the young AOC Coteaux du Giennois in the 1980s.The La Pente is a first class Sancerre and the pinnacle of Emile' production.  It comes from vines are grown on Emile's finest sites in teh limestone soil of Beauregard, and he only uses the first juice from the pressing is used. After a careful fermentation, the wine is matured for large barrels for 18 months to develop complexityWonderful, textured Sancerre showing restrained tropical fruits, fine minerality and a wonderful length on the finish.  We are thrilled to have got our hands on a few magnums of this stunning wine.

£85.00

2017 pouilly fume ‘les demoiselles’, domaine henri bourgeois

Sauvignon Blanc

The wines from Domaine Henri Bourgeois display the complex chalky and flinty terroir of Chavignol and are a delight once they take on a bit of bottle age.  The 'Les Demoiselles' is made from select Sauvignon grapes from Saint-Laurent, the site of the first vines planted in Pouilly-Fume.  85% is fermented in stainless steel with the remainder fermented in oak from the Troncais forest.  Aged on fine lees for seven months, this classy wine is losing some of it's up front,classic Sauvignon fruit and showing it's complex, woody notes with quince and pear fruit and an underlying flintiness. 

£32.99

2018 carte d’or, baumard, coteaux du layon

Chenin Blanc

We are big fans of the wines from Baumard and with some of them ranking as some of the very best available from this part of the Loire they are priced accordingly!  Thankfully, the terrific Carte d'Or is extremely well-priced and offers a wonderful introduction into both the wines of the region and the Baumard style in general. 

£11.99

2018 pouilly fume, domaine lebrun

Sauvignon Blanc

Laurent Lebrun was trained as a winemaker at Montpellier, spent his formative years training in Australia and then returned to France to take up the position of General Manager and Head Winemaker at Château Olivier, Grand Cru Classé in Bordeaux. He has recently home and  become the 6th Generation of Lebrun to run the family estate in Pouilly-Fumé.  The estate has a total of 9 hectares on the slopes of St. Andelain and makes classic, flinty wines.  Lots of citrus fruits, typical smoky undertones and zingy fresh acidity.

£17.99

2018 touraine chenonceaux, clos roussely

Sauvignon Blanc

Vincent Roussely is the fourth generation of the family to make wines at this beautiful 8 hectare vineyard site in the heart of Chenonceaux on the Cher River. Since 2007 he has farmed his vineyards by hand, machine and horse and as a result has seen the health of his vineyards and grapes have improved immeasurably, which naturally has a direct influence on the wines he produces. Planted mainly to Sauvignon Blanc, the soil is a mixture of clay and limestone with pockets of Silex where his oldest vineyards are situated, many of which are over 80 years old in the case of the cuvee Chenonceaux.

£19.99

2019 bourgueil, domaine des mailloches

Cabernet Franc

Located in Restigné, in the heart of the Bourgueil appellation, Domaine des Mailloches is an old vineyard dating back over 100 years. Several generations of winemakers have followed and today Samuel Demont and his family continue to farm 16 hectares of Cabernet Franc. The sustainably grown vines are planted on a mixture of sandy soil, gravel and clay/limestone, each adding complexity to ther resultant wines.

£12.95

2019 les blondins, domaine serol, cote roannaise

Gamay

The Les Blondins is a collaboration between Doamien Serol and Michel Troisgros, owner of one of France's most famous Three Michelin Starred restaurants.  Made from a single parcel of old vine Gamay Saint Romain which is part whole bunch fermented and 60% oak aged for 11 months

£22.99

2019 sancerre la pente, emile balland

Sauvignon Blanc

This tiny 6.5 hectare domaine in the Loire was started by Emile Balland in 1999. The Ballands have been making wines in the Loire since 1650 and his father was instrumental in achieving recognition for the young AOC Coteaux du Giennois in the 1980s.The La Pente is a first class Sancerre and the pinnacle of Emile' production.  It comes from vines are grown on Emile's finest sites in the limestone soil of Beauregard, and he only uses the first juice from the pressing is used. After a careful fermentation, the wine is matured for large barrels for 18 months to develop complexityWonderful, textured Sancerre showing restrained tropical fruits, fine minerality and a wonderful length on the finish.

£39.95

2019 sauvignon blanc, chatelain desjacques, vin de france

Sauvignon Blanc

The Sauvignon Blanc, Chatelain Desjacques is great value, easy drinking Sauvignon from the Loire offering plenty of varietal character, clean fresh fruit and crisp acidity on the finish. Terrific everyday white for lovers of restrained, easy going Sauvignon.

£8.95

2020 chapeau melon blanc, jeremie huchet, vin de france

White Blend

Jeremie Huchet is a fourth generation winemaker in teh Loire and considered one of the rising stars in Muscadet.  This cracking blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Melon de Bourgogne is spritely, fresh and fruit driven.  Terrific with seafood and shellfish or for simple quaffing in the garden throughout summer!

£11.95

2020 gamay, domaine du haut bourg, val du loire

Gamay

This Loire valley Gamay from Domaine du Haut Bourg is a juicy, vibrant and fresh red with blackberry and blackcurrant fruit on the nose.  Fresh and easy drinking, being fruity and smooth on the palate.

£10.95

2020 gamay, domaine moulin camus

Gamay

This 100% Gamay from the western fringes of the Loire is grown on a slope of pure mica schist which gives the wine juicy, rounded red fruits a bit of tautness and minerality.  A warmer than normal, sulphur free maceration for three days helps bring out some warmth and roundness to the fruit, making it slightly beaujolais'esque but without the bubble gum/commercial edge that one would normally find in this price range.

£9.99

2020 grolleau gris, domaine du haut bourg, val du loire

Grolleau Gris

Domaine du Haut Bourg are primarily Muscadet producers based in the Grandlieu appelation south of Nantes.  The brothers Nicholas and Herve also plant a range of other varieties includung Gamay, Sauvignon and Grolleau Gris. The proximity of the Atlantic and also the Lac du Grandlieu to the low lying vineyards allow for an early harvest which helps keep the wines spritely, fresh and characterful.  Terrifically put together, this is a great wine to try if you fancy a change from Sauvignon Blanc, melon, lychee and stone fruit with zippy, fresh acidity on the lively finish.

£11.95

2020 menetou salon, domaine coquin

Sauvignon Blanc

We are delighted to welcome back this wonderful Menetou Salon from Domaine Coquin.  Planted on south west facing slopes with excellent exposure, the vines are tended with the utmost respect for the environment with ploughing and grass cover limiting the excessive use of chemicals.

£16.95

2020 menetou salon, domaine jouan

Sauvignon Blanc

Domaine Jouan is a family estate with 5 hectares of vines of which 4 are in Sancerre and only 1 in Menetou-Salon.  They produce wines which are very typical and this easy going Menetou is a cracking value alternative to Sancerre.  Light and crisp with a lovely structure and lots of fresh citrus and stone fruit aromas

£14.95

2020 muscadet pavillon, domaine du haut bourg

Melon de Bourgogne

Domaine du Haut Bourg are primarily Muscadet producers based in the Grandlieu appelation south of Nantes.  The brothers Nicholas and Herve also plant a range of other varieties includung Gamay, Sauvignon and Grolleau Gris. The proximity of the Atlantic and also the Lac du Grandlieu to the low lying vineyards allow for an early harvest which helps keep the wines spritely, fresh and characterful. 

£11.95

2020 sancerre blanc, domaine hippolyte reverdy

Sauvignon Blanc

The very hands on nature of this small Domaine results in wines which are characterful and elegant and a true expression of both grape and region.  Vinified slowly in small vats to ensure that the delicate aromas of Sauvignon are preserved, this is a wonderfully elegant expression of Loire Valley Sauvignon which balances fresh cut grass , citrus fruits and delicate minerality perfectly.

£18.95

2020 sancerre rouge ‘la louisonne’, emile balland

Pinot Noir

This tiny 6.5 hectare domaine in the Loire was started by Emile Balland in 1999. The Ballands have been making wines in the Loire since 1650 and his father was instrumental in achieving recognition for the young AOC Coteaux du Giennois in the 1980s.

£23.95

2020 saumur elegance, domaine vieux pressoir

Chenin Blanc

The history of this Domaine dates back to 1892 and they were a key player in the establishment of the Saumur AOC in the 1930's.

£17.95

2020 vouvray cuvee silex, domaine des aubuisieres

Chenin Blanc

Produced from several vineyards with Silex (flint) soils, this delicious Vouvray is pale yellow with a very reserved nose. The palate is dominated by minerals, with citrus, apple and lemon peel fruit. Floral aromas balance out the minerality with some lovely balanced acidity coming through on the finish. 

£14.99

2021 cap a l’ouest sauvignon, domaine de la bretonniere, igp

Sauvignon Blanc

Domaine de la Bretonniere have been making wine in the Loire for generations.  With an utmost respect for the environment and meticulous attention to detail in the vineyard they are able to produce vibrant, crisp wines with lovely pure fruit and crisp, balanced acidity.  The Cap A l'Ouest Sauvignon is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris and has a bright, pale yellow appearance with golden reflections. The intense bouquet of flowers and lychee follow through to the generous palate that manages to be powerful and fruit-forward whilst retaining freshness and zip with long lasting acidity.

£10.95

2021 gamay ‘canaille’, domaine roussely

Gamay

Vincent Roussely is the fourth generation of the family to make wines at this beautiful 8 hectare vineyard site in the heart of Chenonceaux on the Cher River. Since 2007 he has farmed his vineyards by hand machine and horse and as a result has seen the health of his vineyards and grapes improve immeasurably, which naturally has a direct influence on the wines he produces.The Cellar is underground, dug into a tuffeau tunnel underneath the vines, and have been used for vinification of wine for over 250 years. New inox fermentation tanks have been put in place located in carved out recesses in the soft stone. Ferments are spontaneous and naturally very slow. 100% Gamay, 50% of which is whole bunch ferment and 50% destemmed from the younger vineyards around the village of Ange, south of the Cher river. Natural ferments with malolactic fermentation taking  place in stainless steel and bottled the summer after harvest.  Delightfully approachable and a pure pleasure to drink, this is a true terroir wine with a sense of place and vitality which make it equally appealing to savour or simply drink.

£16.95