Way Under $15, Way Out Loire White
Cave de Saumur churns out tasty juice. I’ve had reds, bubbles, and whites from them over the years that made much more of an impression with me than bottles costing twice as much.
This bottle is so cheap in part because Cave de Saumur is a cooperative and because it’s a direct import (less capatilistic grab ass before it hits your shelf).
Cave de Saumur
2005 Lieu-dit “Les Pouches”
imported by Grape Expectations ($8-9)
I think this bottle could give a little class on white wine. 100% Chenin Blanc, and when Chenin is good, it’s goooooood–just like a perfect apple. This wine is everything: refreshing (high-acidity), minerally (think of rain on rocks), ripe (like a nectarine), and balanced (enough fruit sweetness to counter that zippy acidity). I cannot believe it’s $9.
November 30th, 2006 at 7:48 am
you are so right ! the wines made by the “caves coopératives” are usually very good, better and by far than the worst wines in the “appellation” and never far from the best ones.
i’ve loved your “because it’s a direct import (less capatilistic grab ass before it hits your shelf).” it really made me laugh !
thanks !
November 30th, 2006 at 11:37 am
Damn you Maggie! You tantalize me with gorgeous wine descriptions, and then leave before the money shot- where the hell can I buy these things? Do you just expect me to keep hounding the importers via e-mail? Or at least do something from Noble- I know where to get those. Have a heart, you cheap wine tease.
November 30th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
Lisa - Bwah! Grape Expectations has a pretty good representation around town. Any shop can order it for you. Get a case for an even better deal. But I know Pike & Western and McCarthy & Schiering have it, and other gems from GP.
December 1st, 2006 at 12:59 am
Hey, you are poaching my picks! But imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And, uh, great minds think alike. (I have now run out of cliches.)
December 1st, 2006 at 9:19 am
I’ve got it on the shelf–West Seattle Cellars. Maggie’s right–the stuff rocks!
Bear
December 1st, 2006 at 11:45 am
Jameson - Don’t flatter yourself. Good wine just rises to the top, or something.
Readers, go check Jameson’s blog out, I just did. He’s a wine buyer, so that makes him a better source than all those amatuerish wine blogs. Wine buyer’s taste ALOT and most importantly ALL AROUND THE SPECTRUM, and he’s got very good taste. It is, afterall, very similar to mine sometimes. Ha!
And if you live in West Seattle, go visit Bear–his shop and attitude are fantastic. It’s all about the drinking there, no scores or hype.
December 4th, 2006 at 10:12 pm
If I don’t flatter myself, who will?
Thanks for the plug.