2007 wine highlights (mainly unfinished wines; ex-cellar prices quoted)

Domaine Henri Bourgeois - one of the leading producers in Sancerre who also makes Pouilly-Fumé, Quincy, Menetou-Salon and VDP . Annual production: 1 million bottles.

??? (?) Le MD de Bourgeois Attractive grapefruit aromas and flavours with marked mineral notes, concentration and length. (€10.65)

Jacolin - Menetou-Salon producer and member of Vignobles & Domaines - group of Central Vineyard producers.

?? Menetou-Salon Blanc (due to be bottled May) Gooseberry and lemon, lively acidity and length. (€4.75)
== Touraine ==

Jacky Blot - high quality, family-owned vineyards in Montlouis and Vouvray (Domaine de la Taille-aux-Loups) and, since 2002, Domaine de la Butte (Bourgueil)

???? Remus Montlouis (available autumn) Great purity and length with strong mineral character. A lot of potential. (€9)

?? Le Pied de la Butte Bourgueil (available April) Lightest of Blot's Bourgueils. Deliciously easy-drinking Cabernet Franc. (€5.50)

Damien Delecheneau (La Grange Tiphaine) - rising young star based in Amboise making Montlouis (5ha) and Touraine (6ha).

?? Riage Tournant Rosé Touraine A refreshing blend of Côt (local name for Malbec), Gamay and Cabernet Franc with delicious strawberry fruit and clean finish. (€3.00)

Huet SAS - in 35ha in Vouvray, one of the Loire's great estates. Biodynamic since 1990. Handpicked and strict grape selection.

???? Le Mont Vouvray Sec Rich, complex and concentrated, quince and apple with a hint of honey. Once again the typical hallmark of 2007 Chenin Blanc - wonderful purity and length. (€8.60)

Vincent Ricard - exciting young producer in the Cher Valley, mainly producing Sauvignon Blanc - nearly 13ha of the 17ha planted. Riper style favoured over vegetal cat's pee.

??? Le Petiot Touraine Sauvignon Attractively grassy and lemony with good concentration. (€3.30)
== Anjou-Saumur ==

Eric Charruau (Domaine du Val Brun) - Family estate since 1722, now with 30ha in production, making Saumur-Champigny and Saumur Blanc and offering remarkable value.

?? (?) Saumur-Champigny 2007 (available May-June) Soft, ripe juicy black fruits - easy drinking. (€3.20)

??? (?) Also more concentrated Saumur-Champigny Les Folies (available autumn) from old vines (€3.96).

Vincent Ogereau - impeccable family estate in St Lambert-du-Lattay (Layon Valley). Making full range of Anjou wines - white, rosé and red.

???? Coteaux-du-layon Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay (available Sept/Oct) Floral, honeyed, quite rich (100g residual) with citrus fruits in the long, fresh finish. (€5.43 for the 2006)


== Pays Nantais ==

Pierre Luneau-Papin - long-established, high quality Muscadet producer situated on a 30ha estate in Landreau with different cuvées according to soil type. Also known as Domaine Pierre de la Grange.

??? Clos des Allées Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Very mineral and pure, lemony length. Currently quite austere but may well soften and fatten by the time this is bottled. (€3.50)