Country: France Region: Loire Valley Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc Vintage: 2020  Colour: White Style: Dry Producer: Domaine La Guiberte Description: An instant classic from a classic region! The Alain Gueneau Sancerre “La Guiberte” comes from a small family-owned estate at the Eastern end of France’s Loire valley. You’ll still find the grape’s signature citrus freshness and a slight grassiness, but examples from Sancerre lean more towards restraint, minerality, and elegance. The secret is not only in Northern France’s cooler climate, but also in the region’s soil — a swathe of ancient clay-calcareous deposits that stretches from England’s famous white cliffs of Dover across the channel and into Northern France. Alain and daughter Elisa are the 2nd and 3rd-generation of the Gueneau family to farm this land, three quarters of which is planted to Sauvignon Blanc vines with an average age of about 25 years Tasting Note: Pale yellow in colour with green and golden highlights. The first smell is discreet with herbaceous hints (nettle, tomato leaves, and menthol). Then the nose reveals notes of elder blossom, citronella, and thyme. Frank in attack, the palate refreshes with its acidulous balance where lemon and grapefruit prevail. On the finish, notes of pears in syrup. Food Matches: Shellfish / Oysters / Mussels / White Meat