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Lincolnshire Wine: Blanc Expressions
Written by Rob Davis on 14th June 2011
The Sauvignon Blanc grape variety put New Zealand wines on the map in the late 1980’s but its ancestral home has always been the majestic Loire Valley in Northern France. Steep Hill Wines’s Ben Straw goes back 30 years this month, with superlative examples guaranteed to leave even those of discerning palates with blanc expressions...
The Sauvignon Blanc grape creates beautifully fresh, clean and crisp wines when grown in cool climates. If temperatures get too warm, the acidity recedes and the wine gets a little flabby and loses focus. This is why New Zealand and France excel at Sauvignon production. Chile, especially in the Casablanca Valley and parts of South Africa are starting to produce some little gems! When you drink Sauvignon Blanc, Old World — especially Loire Valley — wines lean towards citrus and mineral flavours whilst the Marlborough juice shows more grass and herbal notes with asparagus often cropping up in tasting notes. However you like your Sauvignon there is something here for everyone. Allow me to introduce some of my favourite examples... enjoy!
1 The River Garden by Lourensford, Stellenbosch, South Africa - £7.50
Lourensford, founded in 1700, is a magnificent estate nestled in the fertile bowl of the Helderberg Mountains. The River Garden gets it’s name from the breathtaking mountains, crystal-clear rivers and tranquil settings of the estate. This bright wine has fresh fruity flavours of figs and lime. Shows a crisp, fresh acidity with a zesty finish.
2 Casas del Bosque Reserva, Casablanca, Chile - £8.50
Casas del Bosque is located 70 km from Santiago, and has 245 productive hectares of vines. They are recognised across Chile as a Sauvignon Blanc specialist. Intense lime and grapefruit aromas dominate the nose. The palate has pure flavours of nectarine and white peach. A bright, zesty acidity imparts excellent structure and length.
3 Jackson Estate Green Lip, Marlborough, New Zealand - £11.50
Jackson Estate is a testament to the vision and determination of the Stichbury & Jackson families who have farmed the land on the Wairau River plain for more than 160 years. This wine is named for the New Zealand greenlip mussel; it has pure aromas of passion fruit and nettle. An delicious mouthful of sweet and sour stone and yellow fruits, all blended together with a backbone of fine ripe acidity.
4 Ermacora, Fruili, Italy - £16.75
The name Ermacora has roots in the history of the ancient Romans. Ermacora was the name of the first bishop of Aquileia, who lived around the middle of the third century. The Ermacora Sauvignon is a complex fruit-laden wine with fresh herb notes.
5 Jean-Paul Balland Sancerre, Loire, France - £15.95
Jean-Paul, for the past 35 years, has tended the family’s 24 hectares in Sancerre (18 hectares of Sauvignon grapes; 6 hectares of Pinot). His two daughters, Isabelle and Elise, have now joined him to continue the family tradition. The 2009 is a beautiful expression of the vintage, with aromas of peach and grapefruits. There is a lovely freshness with great balance of flavour between the citrus and stone fruits. Sauvignon Blanc at its very best!
Featured wines are available at Steep Hill Wines, Lincoln. Call 01522 544737 or see www.steephillwines.com.