Touraine
Touraine is a large and diverse subregion located in the middle of the Loire Valley, centered around the city of Tours. The area features varied soils including limestone, clay, and sand with a moderate continental climate moderated by the Loire River, allowing for the cultivation of multiple grape varieties including Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, and Côt (Malbec). Touraine is known for its versatile wine production, ranging from crisp, mineral-driven white wines (especially Sauvignon Blanc), light to medium-bodied reds from Cabernet Franc and Gamay, to sparkling wines made in the traditional method under the Touraine Mousseux appellation.
Wines from Touraine
Les Grenettes - Domaine Beausejour - Sauvignon Blanc
Les Grenettes from Domaine Beausejour captures the essence of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc – crisp, aromatic, and utterly refreshing without veering into the aggressive herbaceousness that can sometimes dominate New World versions. This is Sauvignon Blanc in its elegant French form. Domaine Beausejour has crafted a wine that speaks clearly of its Loire Valley origins, with that distinctive flinty minerality that makes these wines so special. What sets this bottle apart is its perfect balance – it's got all the zippy citrus notes Sauvignon lovers crave, but wrapped in a package of restraint and finesse. It's the kind of white that makes you reconsider what Sauvignon Blanc can be if you've only experienced the more obvious versions. Perfect for warm weather sipping or alongside anything from the sea – it's like a squeeze of lemon in liquid form.
Olema Sauvignon Blanc Loire
The Loire Valley is Sauvignon Blanc's spiritual homeland, and this bottling from Olema captures exactly why the region's expressions of this grape are so beloved. Unlike the more tropical New World versions, Loire Sauvignon Blanc leans into the variety's herbal, mineral side while maintaining perfect balance. What makes this wine particularly appealing is its classic character – it delivers exactly what Loire Sauvignon Blanc lovers seek: that perfect combination of citrus freshness, subtle grassiness, and distinctive flinty minerality that makes the wines of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé so renowned. Olema works with quality-focused growers to source fruit that truly expresses the region's unique terroir. The result is a wine that brings a touch of French sophistication to everyday occasions – the wine equivalent of that perfectly tailored white shirt that somehow makes everything in your wardrobe look better.
Mary Taylor Luc Poullain Touraine
Mary Taylor's partnership with winemaker Luc Poullain brings us this textbook expression of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc from the Touraine appellation. While neighboring Sancerre gets all the fame (and higher prices), Touraine offers some of the best values in French white wine – authentic regional character without the premium markup. Poullain's family has been growing vines in this region for generations, giving him an intimate understanding of the area's limestone and clay soils. His traditional approach to winemaking allows the varietal and terroir to speak clearly, creating a wine that's both refreshing and expressive. Mary Taylor's mission of bringing authentic regional wines directly to consumers means you're getting genuine Loire Valley quality at a remarkably fair price. It's the kind of honest, everyday white that French families keep on hand – versatile, satisfying, and a perfect companion to a wide range of foods.