Touraine 2017

Ah, the 2017 vintage in Touraine for dry whites! A vintage that can be described as ‘Divine’ without blushing, rated 4.4, because it truly managed, how shall I say, to pleasantly surprise us. You know, after an early start and a few shivers with the April frosts that locally reduced volumes – yes, the vine had its little moment of stress – the summer, although varied, allowed for impeccable ripening. The result? Sauvignons and other varieties that yield wines of radiant freshness, with that juicy fruit and balance that hit the mark. We saw other Loire appellations produce very fine whites that year, but Touraine particularly played its hand well, offering wines of a quality that largely compensated for a slightly lower quantity. That’s the magic of the Loire, isn’t it?