Hello from The Caviste

Spring is here and things have settled in here with pleasant evenings of wine sipping on the back patio and plenty of new wines and fresh rosés showing up at the store.  One of the towns favorite summer white, Sancerre, has returned just in time for the weekend's warming weather.  And, we have several events on the horizon, please see below. 

 

Is this the wine of summer?  With the rapid pace it moves through the store, one would think so.  Sancerre is a small region in the eastern part of the Loire Valley.  The wines are ubiquitous on cafe tables in Paris and comprised of 100% Sauvignon Blanc.  With all of the current shipping and production challenges, we struggle to keep one on the shelf so are very happy to have these few bottles coming in. Etienne Daulny is a producer of classic Sancerre where minerality lifts and supports the citrus notes of Sauvignon Blanc.  Here, we have two bottlings for him, certainly not better or worse, more different interpretations of a favorite song.  Both are welcome accompaniments to your summer table.

 

This, considered his entry bottling is made from 40 year old vines. Which would make them old wines in many other regions.  It is a blend of multiple plots and has a judicious use of neutral barrels. This lends a bit of texture and weight to the crisp and refreshing to the refreshing grapefruit and sliced citrus notes of this wine.  Full of citrus and cracked stones along a mountain stream in a way that makes you hungry for fresh grilled Spanish mackerel.  $28

And this year, we also have the Le Clos de Chaudenay bottling.  The vines for this wine grow on a ridge of the famed kimmeridgian (limestone) that leaves such an imprint on the wines of the region.  Facing south, these vineyards receive more sun and warmth (reflected in the name of the clos "chaude" French for hot), so there is a touch more richness to the wine. Still bright and lively but like a song with a little more bass.  Find the best oysters or fresh shrimp you can. A favorite is grilled toast with fresh goat cheese, sliced avocado and split boiled shrimp alongside an arugula salad.   $35