Fournier La Chaudouillonne

Description

Sauvignon Blanc is the white grape of Sancerre, but don’t expect it to be anything like New Zealand style Sauvignon Blanc. Where the New Zealand version usually has lots of pyrazines (think green pepper), the French style has mineral for miles (think wet stone and steel). Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t really get enough credit with New World wine drinkers. It’s mainly viewed as a quaffable, crisp and zesty white wine that’s easy to crush on a patio. But it’s so much more than that. Sauvignon Blanc is sensitive to the soil where it’s grown, which means where it comes from ultimately determines its characteristics. The rich, roundness of Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley is not the same as the flinty, lime notes of Sancerre. The zippy, herbaceous qualities you find in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is nothing like the rustic, stone fruit-driven South African style. The Fournier “La Chaudouillone” Sancerre is a great example of Sauvignon Blanc’s potential for complexity and just how much it can reflect its terroir. While many wines made from this grape are meant to be consumed fresh and young, within a year or two from vintage, this wine could easily cellar until 2028. Be careful not to chill this one too much or you’ll lose some of the distinct flavours and texture. We recommend serving at about 12 - 13 C.

Pairing

Delicate white fish and simple seafood dishes pair best with this Sancerre. An easy basil pesto linguine topped with trout would be wonderful. Lemon-pepper prawns, raw oysters on the half shell, and sushi are also great options. If you’re not a fan of seafood, try a light salad topped with goat cheese and a citrus vinaigrette or quinoa with grilled asparagus.