| The Loire river is the longest river in France. The | | | | (the pancakes were greasy). With the chicken. the |
| Loire Valley is home to a wide variety of wines | | | | Sauvignon Blanc was deliciously floral and had |
| as well as great castles. Touraine is towards the | | | | great balance.between fruit and acidity. It was |
| eastern end of the wine producing area, but is | | | | feathery and palate cleansing. With fresh |
| actually southwest of Paris. Over time, more and | | | | strawberries this wine was slightly less floral but |
| more of the local producers are getting involved in | | | | still feathery. |
| organic and biodynamic wines. This wine was | | | | The next meal started with homemade broccoli |
| produced on the outskirts of Oisly, France, a | | | | and potato soup perked up by Japanese wasabi |
| village of some three hundred souls, not far from | | | | rice crackers. In response the Sauvignon Blanc |
| Tours, the largest city in Touraine. It is often | | | | was multilayered, round, and well balanced. The |
| compared to the better know and more | | | | main course was an asiago cheese omelet with a |
| expensive Sancerre. I'll talk about that more later. | | | | side of pesto. From my glass I got gooseberries |
| OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we | | | | and a touch of sweetness. The wine deepened to |
| taste and review are purchased at the full retail | | | | meet the pesto challenge and showed good |
| price. | | | | balance between acidity and fruit. Dessert was a |
| Wine Reviewed | | | | delicious apple, plum, and pear cake. The wine was |
| Domaine du Pre Baron Sauvignon Touraine 2007 | | | | very long and yet feathery. |
| 12.5% alcohol about $14.50 | | | | My final meal included a boxed vegetarian lasagna |
| Let's start by quoting the marketing materials. | | | | slathered with grated Parmesan cheese. The |
| Description: Domaine du Pre Baron belongs to the | | | | Sauvignon Blanc displayed light acidity, pears, and |
| Terra Vitis organization, a group of French wine | | | | honey. It was subtle. To tell the truth it could |
| producers committed to producing healthy, high | | | | have been stronger. Dessert was Haagen-Daz |
| quality grapes without using chemical treatments | | | | mint chip ice cream. The wine was weakened; |
| or harming the surrounding flora and fauna. It | | | | grapefruit came to the fore. What to do when |
| embraces many of the principles of sustainable | | | | the wine responds not very well to a seemingly |
| agriculture, organic viticulture and biodynamism. | | | | workable food pairing? Try another dessert (I am |
| Tasting Note: Intense Sauvignon Blanc that, at the | | | | always ready to sacrifice for this column.) With a |
| start, hints at New Zealand more than the Loire. | | | | chocolate chip sponge cake, not nearly as tasty |
| Tons of grass, gooseberry, lemongrass and | | | | as the homemade cake of the previous meal, this |
| grapefruit zest here. Strong suggestion of the | | | | wine was long with refreshing acidity and made |
| Loire comes from the minerality on the | | | | me think of cut grass. |
| mid-palate. Quite dry, racy yet elegant with very | | | | I ended the bottle with two local cheeses. With a |
| good varietal pedigree. Medium bodied with a | | | | gouda cheese the wine had bright acidity and was |
| lingering, crisp/fruity finish. Match it to bouillabaisse. | | | | quite long showing touches of cut grass and some |
| (VINTAGES panel, Feb. 2009). And now for my | | | | fruit. In response to a stronger tasting yellow |
| review. | | | | cheddar cheese, its flavors intensified and the |
| At the first sips the wine was mouth filling and | | | | wine was quite round. |
| made me think of mowed grass. Its first pairing | | | | Final verdict. This wine is a definite yes. I wish that |
| was with baked chicken in soya sauce | | | | I could try it with the recommended bouillabaisse, |
| accompanied by vegetarian pancakes made with | | | | but frankly it's quite good with almost everything. |
| broccoli, potatoes, oat bran, garlic et al. With the | | | | I was a big fan of Sancerre, but frankly find this |
| pancakes the wine was long with a touch of | | | | wine just as good, and considerably less |
| sweetness and grapefruit. It was palate cleansing | | | | expensive. |