Jean-Pierre Baron is a master of Sauvignon Blanc, and he has put his expertise to good use when creating this remarkable Sauvignon de Touraine. Baron owns a 13 hectare family domaine in the village of Thesee, on the right bank of the Cher river. Beginning in 1946, Baron’s father was among the first to plant Sauvignon Blanc grapes in this region which is now recognized as Appellation Touraine Controle. Baron has decided to leave the local coop and begin estate bottling with the 1998 vintage; a new Loire star is born!

Baron’s vineyard has a clay-limestone-silex soil and the vines average 25 years old. He prunes severely in the Fall to limit yields and uses a sophisticated program of “lutte raisonnee” in respect of the environment to fight vine diseases and parasites. The goal is to grow the healthiest fruit possible at moderate yields. Instead of using herbicides, the topsoil is lightly tilled so as to remove weeds without disturbing the sub-soil. The grapes are gently pressed and lightly clarified (debourbage). Fermentation take place in tanks and the wine is left on the lees until February before racking and bottling in April. Baron’s Sauvignon is then aged for 6 months in bottle before release.

Baron’s Sauvignon has fine concentration, a lovely citrus bouquet and a plump palate. It is a ripe, crisp wine with unmistakable Loire character and is the equal of many Sancerres in the market, and a far better value. This wine is perfect for entertaining (given the high quality and very reasonable cost), for casual enjoyment on the porch as an aperitif, or with a wide range of seafood, fish and white meats.