The selection tasting was led by Sam Harrop MW and took place in the region in March. The panel featured UK wine journalists Tim Atkin MW, Charles Metcalfe and Jamie Goode, and wine consultant Annette Scarfe.
InterLoire says the panel chose the wines which best represent the quality, diversity and terroir of Sauvignon Blanc de Loire and wines which they consider have the best commercial chances of success in export markets and specifically in the UK.
Harrop said: “The percentage of 2011 Ambassadors selected from the wines entered was similar to last year, when we were looking at the easier 2010 vintage. Most winemakers coped very well this year, and some fantastic wines were produced - confirmation that, with more technical knowledge and understanding of the UK market’s needs, producers in the Loire are seeing much greater consistency in quality from one vintage to the next.”
The tasting is part of the Sauvignon Blanc de Loire Project which is run by InterLoire, managed by a local oenological technical team and employs Harrop as its international consultant. The main purpose is to create a better profile for Sauvignon Blanc de Loire, and to raise the region’s image in order to increase the perception and value of the wines on the UK market.
Sauvignon Blanc de Loire Ambassadors 2012
IGP/Vin de Pays du Val de Loire
Domaine Auguste Bonhomme, cuvée Jean de La Roche
Caves du Haut Poitou, cuvée Brumes de Loire
Vignerons de la Vallée du Cher, cuvée La Marinière
Vignoble Cogné
Château de Fresne
Ackerman, cuvée Ackerman
Henri Bourgeois, cuvée Petit Bourgeois
AOP/AOC Touraine
Domaine Octavie, cuvée Prestige d’Octavie
Domaine de la Renne, cuvée l’Expression
Domaine des Corbillières
Domaine de La Renaudie
Domaine Joël Delaunay
Domaine Pré Baron, cuvée L’Elégante
Domaine Pré Baron, cuvée Domaine Pré Baron
Complices de Loire, cuvée Pointe d’Agrumes
Domaine Villebois, cuvée Villebois Prestige
Alpha Loire Domaines, cuvée Domaine de La Croix Bouquie
SCEA Les Hauts Lieux, cuvée Domaine Guenault
