Loire Valley Sauv Blanc

Loire Valley Sauv Blanc is a white wine from Esplanda, listed under the Massachusetts appellation in the United States. The name points to the Loire style of Sauvignon Blanc, which is usually dry, crisp and built on acidity rather than weight. The listing gives no vintage, ABV or tasting notes, so the profile below describes what this style typically delivers. It is not a measured profile of this bottle. Expect citrus and green fruit such as lime, grapefruit and green apple. Herbal or grassy notes and a mineral edge are also common. Styles like this are usually light to medium in body, with no tannin to speak of and little or no oak. They finish clean and fairly short, with the acidity doing most of the work. Serve it well chilled, around 7 to 10°C (45 to 50°F). Roughly two hours in the refrigerator, or 30 minutes in an ice bucket, gets it there. Decanting isn't needed. A wine like this is best poured straight from the bottle so the aromatics stay fresh. A standard white wine glass with a moderately narrow bowl keeps the citrus and herbal aromas focused and holds the chill longer than a wide red-wine glass. At the table, that acidity suits dishes with some fat or salt. Goat cheese is the classic match in Loire-style pairings, and so are oysters, steamed mussels, grilled white fish and shrimp with lemon. Salads with a sharp vinaigrette and dishes with fresh herbs such as chives, tarragon or dill also work. Asparagus and green vegetables, which can clash with many wines, usually sit comfortably alongside Sauvignon Blanc. Wines in this style are generally made to be drunk young, while the fruit and acidity are at their liveliest. Plan to open it within a year or two of purchase rather than cellaring it.