Domaine Michaud Touraine 2011

Grapefruit explosion! Fans of New Zealand style Sauvignon Blanc will get a kick out of this zesty version from the Loire Valley. Bright in the glass with a tasty minerally aspect that adds dimension to this otherwise straightforward, clean white.

A lithe and lightly colored wine with flavors of grapefruit, green peach and herbs. Touraine, in the Loire Valley, produces some of the most aromatic expressions of Sauvignon Blanc, and this one really delivers.

This wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the larger region of Touraine, directly west of the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé appellations. Often, these wines are more enjoyable than their more expensive and better known neighbors because they are never aged in oak. This is a perfect example of the excellent 2009 vintage. Bursting with ripe, citrusy flavors and clean, zesty acidity, it is a wine to quench your thirst.

A dry white wine comprised of 100% Sauvignon Blanc grown on 40-year-old vines in Touraine, an area located in the heart of the Loire Valley. Total stainless steel fermentation lends a clean, crisp tone accentuating white peach, grapefruit, citrus and mineral characteristics. These flavor components marry well with the tangy creaminess of goat cheese. Try it with these dishes: goat cheese and tomato bruschetta; chicken breasts stuffed with apple and goat cheese; grilled pitas with caramelized onions and goat cheese. (Contact me for the complete recipes.)

100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in France. While Sancerre and Pouilly Fuissé steal most of the spotlight and accolades, Touraine continues to produce great inexpensive alternatives. Subtle grapefruit and lime, with fresh dill and mineral undertones highlight the terrior to perfection. Serve with grilled mahi-mahi or Caesar salad.

Touraine is usually the bargain area for Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire Valley, and this exceptional wine from a stellar vintage really illustrates this in a huge way. The citrus and minerality are very much in balance in this wine. Come back to the home of the original Sauvignon Blanc: the Loire Valley.

Beautiful aromas of sweet citrus fruits with a hint of grass. Peach, grapefruit, green tea and plum flavors charge around your mouth with wonderful intensity. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is perfectly balanced. Pairs wonderfully with crab meat alfredo.