Sauvignon Blanc, Loire Valley, France

Long live Pouilly-Fumé, the Loire Valley sub-appellation known for lean & mean, mineral-driven Sauvignon Blanc! But prestige be damned, this wildchild white thrives on the fringes as a Vin de France, a carefully calibrated expression of low-intervention biodynamic winemaking at its very best. Bain prefers to pick his grapes about two weeks later than his peers for maximum ripeness and like some whizz-bang-dynamo miracle, the wine appears ripe, rich & radiant in the glass like liquid golden hour sun. This zero-zero Sauvignon Blanc was fermented in whole bunches and aged in cement on fine lees for 14 months, bottled without fining, filtration or added sulphites. Dense and aromatic, this is warmly luminescent, all spiced apple compote & golden plums with notes of acacia, hawthorn & honeysuckle, upside-down pineapple cake, pebbles crushed in a hydraulic press, rippling electric acid & a smart citrus finish. Pair with Alison Roman’s persimmon and apple salad with apple cider vinegar, shaved aged cheddar and a flourish of honey.