Over the last couple of weeks I’ve had the pleasure of sampling this absolute gem of a wine from winemaker Sébastien Vaillant.
Sébastien is one half of arguably the smallest cooperative in France, Vignerons de Valençay – given that the other half is his friend Damien Boisseur, a cooperative of two must surely be the smallest in the world, for any smaller and you are simply flying solo
Case Offer: 12 bottles and a free cheese £168
I rarely write up Sauvignon Blanc these days – ubiquitous, often overblown new world styles, dominated by gooseberry, elderflower and superlatives, or lean and unmemorable European styles which the growers have been forced to plant because everyone wants a Sauvignon on their list.
That is, except in the Loire valley. Here they produce some of the best sauvignon in the world. Grown of Silex soils (Flint) – see what Flint Vineyard have done here, with their Bacchus Fumé and Silex wines 😉 – Vignerons de Valençay comprises 40 hectares of vines planted on the hillsides surrounding the Cher River. Silex is greatly prized within the Loire and produces some of the region’s finest and most mineral wines, with the most renowned coming from Sancerre.
However – Have you tried to buy a Sancerre for under £30 recently? I have, and they are very underwhelming, and at over £30, they are not exactly bang-for-you-buck.
So enter Vignerons de Valençay – From £14 per bottle this is BANG-for-your-buck Sauvignon from the best soils. Take a step back Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – This is the Loire, spiritual home of sauvignon.
Valençay has held official AOC status since the 2002 vintage. It was the first French region to receive AOC classification for both wine and cheese, with its distinctive pyramid-shaped goat’s cheese.
What grows together, goes together. Making it the perfect pairing with Valençay white wines.
The cheese allegedly gets its truncated shape from an incident involving Napoleon, a sword and a tantrum – whatever, there is no mistaking the blue-grey, chopped-pyramid shape. Its rind with a velvety texture; woody aroma; fresh nutty flavour with a delicate mousse like feel, that melts in the mouth.
The wine: Light lemon yellow in colour with aromas of citrus, gooseberry and white peach on the nose. On the palate there is an attractive depth of flavour, with notes of lemon, green apple and white peach offset by a charming mineral tone throughout. A crisp acidity carries the wine to a refreshing and elegant finish.