Like Sancerre? You’ll Love this $19.99 Menetou-Salon!
Menetou-Salon is the appellation immediately to the west of Sancerre. Like Sancerre, this lesser-known zone on the Loire River features a cool northern climate, chalky-clay soils, and beautifully mineral-driven white wines.
Today's 2023 Domaine La Clef du Récit Menetou-Salon, at $19.99, drinks like a $30 Sancerre. Driven by white rock minerality, ripe citrus and crunchy orchard fruits, this long and giving wine will have you asking the question:
”Why pay more when this Menetou-Salon is so good!”
Scroll down for our notes on this sizzlingly dry Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc from young vigneron Anthony Girard, and for a smashingly juicy and soulful Pinot Noir alternate from Ghislaine Dupueble, then click the Big Green Button to secure your supply!
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2023 Domaine La Clef du Récit Menetou-Salon
Loire Valley, France
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Anthony Girard is a master of Sauvignon Blanc. Obsessed with quality, he is hungry to make each vintage better than the previous. In the five years we’ve been working with his wines, we've seen them get better and better each year. His 2023 bottlings are more dense and rich texturally, more complex structurally, longer on the palate and more delicious in flavor than anytime in the past.
Anthony owns and sustainably farms 2.2 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc vineyards growing in the classic “Terres Blanches” of Menetou Salon. These famous limestone rocks and clay-based "white soils" are the same type found in Sancerre, and they are the key to the intense minerality people love so much in these famous wines.
In the glass, the wine is a shimmering pale straw with flecks of green and platinum. On the nose and in the mouth, classic Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc flavors are here, including orchard blossom, white peach, guava, lemon, red apple, tarragon, mint, pepper, chalk, and river rocks - plus a dash of salinity. Soft and very texturally pleasing, this skillfully-crafted white has an electric sizzle on the finish that lovers of Sancerre seek out. Totally delicious and totally classic, this is a very strong 90+ Points on our scale.
As Sancerre prices continue to rise, it's great to find a wine that can hold its own with wines that cost 50% more. Looking online we found two other listings, both at $25. Our special direct-from-the-winery price blows them both away! Stock up now and drink this all summer long!
Vin Chicago Price: 19.99
This Charming Beaujolais from Ghislaine Dupueble is a
Perfect Pinot Noir Alternative!
2022 Domaine Dupeuble Beaujolais
Beaujolais, France
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Last month we hosted two winemakers from the Kermit Lynch portfolio for a tasting at our Chicago store. One of them was Ghislaine Dupeuble, who poured for us this yummy, juicy red. Made from Gamay grown on her family's land, it is an extraordinarily charming bottle of wine.
“The wines of Dupeuble represent some of the best values in the Beaujolais today and are widely regarded for their very high quality and eminently reasonable price.”
- Kermit Lynch, Importer
Juicy blackberry and raspberry fruits, along with red flowers, black rock minerals, and a gritty-yet-soft finish make this an ultimate bistro red, and a wonderful alternative for those who love Pinot Noir. This medium-bodied red literally goes with everything!
“Ghislaine Dupeuble and her family have been making wine for over 500 years. Reserved aromas of black plum, black raspberry and dried red cherry open on the nose followed by subtle notes of dried hay. Velvety tannins and a healthy undercurrent of acidity impart depth on the lingering finish. Fatty cuts of meat and rich buttery dishes need a dry wine like this one that will meet the challenge head on.”
- 91 Points, Wine Enthusiast (12/1/2024)
Median price on this wonderful everyday French red is an impressive $18. We bring it to you today for even less. Grab a few bottles to enjoy by itself or with fish, chicken pasta dishes, or a simple Tuesday afternoon lunch!
Vin Chicago Price: 14.99
