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Emile Balland Le Balbuzard Sauvignon Blanc

2022

A fresh, light Loire-styled Sauvignon Blanc

Fresh and clean, this wine is a delightful example of Sauvignon Blanc with stereotypcial notes of gooseberry and grass complimented with nuances of grapefruit and lime zest.

This tiny 6.5 hectare domaine in the Loire was started by Emile Balland in 1999. The Ballands have been making wines in the Loire since 1650 and his father was instrumental in achieving recognition for the young AOC Coteaux du Giennois in the 1980s.

Emile meticulously works his vineyards with a view to continually improving biodiversity and the organic life of the soil itself, to this end he only uses natural products in the vineyard, believing that healthy soil will help to impart a sense of place in his wines.

The name "Le Balbuzard" refers to the fish-eating bird of prey which calls the Loire River its home. Fresh Sauvignon with floral and grapefruit notes, Crisp and fresh on the palate, again with ripe citrus and peach. Refreshing and subtle making it an attractive aperitif and food wine and more restrained than its new world counterparts.

Details

More Information
Wine Type	White wine
Closure	Natural Cork
Alc. Vol	12
Units	9
Region	Loire
Country	France
Grape Varietal	Sauvignon Blanc

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Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is an aromatic white grape variety that is best known for producing dry wines with distinctive herbaceous (grass, green pepper, asparagus) and floral (blossom) aromas and refreshing high acidity. Originating in France’s Loire Valley, it is now grown around the world, offering a variety of styles. Fruit flavours vary according to ripeness, from apple and gooseberry to melon, peach and passionfruit. Occasionally, Sauvignon Blanc is aged in oak (Fumé Blanc), offering a more creamy palate.

Sauvignon Blanc is the only grape variety permitted in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, two appellations of the Loire Valley, and they’re known to have notes of wet stones. Sauvignon Blanc is also found in Bordeaux, where it’s typically blended with Sémillon.

The hallmark Sauvignon Blanc region in New Zealand is Marlborough; bell pepper, gooseberry and passionfruit are common, alongside more vegetal aromas of tomato stalks, rich citrus, and freshly cut grass.

Other good examples can be found in Australia’s Margaret River and Adelaide Hills, Chile’s Casablanca Valley, Elgin and Constantia in South Africa, and California’s Napa Valley.

The Loire Valley

The heart of France, The Loire Valley follows a 630-mile course from a source near Beaujolais to the Atlantic Ocean, and is famous for its natural beauty, magnificent châteaux, and great wine.

The region can be split into four main areas – lower, middle, central and upper Loire – each with numerous appellations and styles of wines. Whilst the plantings here are varied, you can simplify things by understanding that the Loire Valley is dominated by four major grape varieties – Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne and Cabernet Franc.

The Pays Nantais (Lower Loire) is all about white wines, notably Muscadet – the crisp, dry, sea-salt-y white made from Melon de Bourgogne. The Middle Loire – Anjou, Saumur & Touraine – is where Chenin Blanc gets into its prime (Savennières, Vouvray), where sparkling wines rule (Crémant de Loire), and where Cabernet Franc takes centre stage (Chinon, Saumur-Champigny). Central Loire is home to the most recognizable appellations for quality Sauvignon Blanc – Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé. The Upper Loire or – Auvergne – is an ancient wine growing area of France, but a little harder to track down. Auvergne reds are usually made from Gamay and Pinot Noir, whilst the whites will often be Chardonnay.