Savennieres, a shy white wine from France
On Slate, an excellent article about Savennieres, a forgotten white wine that was once treasured by the French royalty.
Made from the chenin blanc grapes (pictured above), Savennieres is produced in such small numbers that it's often overlooked, even in France.
Nonetheless, the wine has a royal history. From the article:
"Savennières was once among the most prized French wines. Louis XIV was apparently so smitten with a wine from the La Roche-aux-Moines vineyard that he decided to journey to Savennières to see for himself the source of this elixir; unfortunately, the royal coach got stuck in the mud en route and had to turn back.
The same vineyard also produced what became a house wine in the court of the first Napoleon. However, the most celebrated Savennières comes from another vineyard, Clos de la Coulée-de-Serrant. Legendary 20th-century French food writer Curnonsky, dubbed the Prince of Gastronomes, famously declared Coulée-de-Serrant to be one of the five great white wines of France..."
Known for pairing well with fish and poultry, thanks to the complex melange of flavours:
"a heady blend of citrus and white fruits, honey, beeswax, flowers, and minerals"
Savennieres is overlooked often enough that the wines are very well priced, especially since it is a wine that is expected to age gracefully. Pick up a bottle!
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Then again think buyers also overlook any of the whites from the Mauzac vintages too.
To your good health
MNG