Valencay (vah-lehn-SAY) is a recently promoted AOC wine appellation (it gained AOC status in 2004) in the Loire region of France that adjoins the Touraine appellation. While it extends across fourteen communes in two départements (Indre and Loir-et-Cher) its total extent is only 142 hectares, which is about 350 acres or, easier to imagine, 1/2 a square mile. It's, uh, how do you say... petite.
The wine is incredibly easy to drink, enjoyable and familiar. It is, afterall, sauvignon blanc. It is older vines, grown in clay and silex soils which give it a great mineral backbone. The wine does ferment in 400 liter, 2-5 year old oak barrel and not stainless steel. It imparts structure, some roundness and complexity to the wine.
It offers a beautiful nose of quince and fresh peaches. It is slightly more citrusy than tropical, but does have a nice weightiness to compliment its bright flavors and clean finish.
Augis Valencay $14 a bottle
