Wine of the Week

Jul 27, 2010
2008 Les Fontanelles Foncalieu Sauvignon Blanc

Vin de Pays d’Oc

When it gets this hot outside, there are few grapes that I find as refreshing as Sauvignon Blanc. Crisp acidity and loads of citrus fruits make for a wine that always seems to make the thermostat seem 10 degrees lower. There are only a handful of places in France where you can find the Sauvignon Blanc grape grown. The two classic examples are, of course, Bordeaux and the Central Vineyards of the Loire Valley. Based on the success of Sauvignon Blanc in these regions, growers began searching for other ideal vineyard spots in France. Luckily for them, there are numerous cool spots in the Languedoc, the southern part of France, where Sauvignon Blanc has flourished. The South of France is very sunny, but cooling breezes from the Mediterranean help to preserve acidity in the grapes. The Les Fontanelles Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect example of this kind of ripe, but fresh style of Sauvignon Blanc and it has the added advantage of being a terrific value, too.

So if the heat index is climbing where you are, join me this week in cooling off with a glass of the Les Fontanelles Foncalieu Sauvignon Blanc. It’s like air conditioning for your palate!

For more information on this wine, please check out its page in our Buying Guide.