From: Loire Valley, France
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting Notes: The wine has a pale straw color with greenish hues, and it is crystal clear, suggesting a high level of purity. On the nose, the wine is very aromatic, with pronounced citrus, green apple, and flinty, sea spray aromas. There are also some floral notes of jasmine and a hint of grassy, herbaceous notes. On the palate, the 2021 Mary Taylor, Touraine Blanc Luc Poullaine is fresh and vibrant, with a crisp acidity that balances the fruit flavors perfectly. The citrus notes are more pronounced on the palate, with juicy grapefruit and lemon flavors leading the way. There is also a hint of Asian pear, that adds a touch of roundness to the wine which balances out the citrus notes nicely. The finish is long and clean, with a pleasant minerality that leaves a refreshing and savory aftertaste.
Pairing: This classy, Touraine white is a wonderfully versatile and food-friendly wine that pairs well with a wide range of dishes. Its crisp acidity and bright fruit flavors make it a great match for light and fresh flavors, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. Please see the list below for detailed inspiration and enjoy!
Seafood pairing:
This wine's bright acidity and crisp, refreshing flavors make it an excellent pairing for seafood dishes. It pairs particularly well with shellfish, such as oysters, clams, and mussels, due to their briny flavor profiles. I would recommend trying this wine with a classic French seafood platter or a plate of fresh shucked oysters.
Vegetarian pairing:
For vegetarian options, this wine pairs well with light and fresh dishes that allow the wine's fruit and herbaceous notes to shine through. I suggest pairing this wine with a vegetarian quiche made with seasonal vegetables (check out this recipe for Roasted Asparagus and Scallion Quiche, by Martha Rose Shulman), a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette, or grilled asparagus with a lemon and herb sauce.
Pasta pairing:
This wine's citrus notes and crisp acidity make it an excellent pairing for pasta dishes with light cream sauces. Try pairing it with a dish of fettuccine with lemon cream sauce or a seafood linguine with a white wine and garlic sauce.
Cheese pairing:
For cheese pairing, this wine pairs well with soft and creamy cheeses like goat cheese and brie. The wine's acidity helps to cut through the richness of the cheese and enhances its flavors. Try serving this wine with a cheese board that includes some tangy goat cheese and creamy brie.
About, via Mary Taylor. Ah, Touraine – the heart of the Loire Valley, the garden of France! This diverse region spans from a moderate maritime climate tempered by the Atlantic in the west to a cold Continental climate at its easternmost edge. The sheer multiplicity of soils is a treasure trove for the winelover, ranging from clay and sand to gravel and Tuffeau. It is the soft, chalky Tuffeau that is the source of the famous châteaux in this region: it is easy to quarry, making room for great underground wine cellars and providing material to build the breathtaking castles for which Touraine is celebrated.
Once the homes of French aristocrats, these châteaux are now summer destinations for well-to-do Parisians and tourists alike.
Although red wines are also made here, it is the white wines from Sauvignon Blanc that have brought Touraine its vinous fame. Jancis Robinson notes that “the best of these can provide a less expensive alternative to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume,” and our Touraine is truly a sublimely grassy, citrussy expression of its terroir. On the left bank of the Loire’s tributary river Cher, not far from the stunning Château de Chenonceau, lie the vineyards of Luc Poullain. Luc’s 16 hectares are planted half to red grapes and half to white, from which our Touraine comes.
Vines up to 70 years old grow on complex soils of sandy siliceous clay and limestone, sustainably farmed with lush grasses growing between the rows. The domaine is HVE-certified and insecticides are never used.
This wine is fermented in stainless steel to preserve its characteristic freshness and primary fruit, and spends up to a year on its fine lees to develop additional complexity before resting at least one month in bottle before release. A beautiful expression of Touraine which is at home on the table, but nuanced and invigorating to enjoy by itself.
