Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Menu Pineau • Valençay Blanc Vieilles Vignes

'Le Petit Sancerre'

After our very successful Valençay Rouge from Domaine Fouassier offer which sold out almost immediately we are delighted to bring a limited quantity of a white wine from the same winemaker. Coming from old plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and a small proportion of a lovely local curiosity - Menu Pineau this bottle offers the same joyful experience as the red version.

Valençay came to its fame because of its fresh goat cheese and gained its AOC status quite recently but the long winemaking tradition in this region assures of a quality of this wine. Not unlike white wines from surrounding areas in Loire and much better known neighbours of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé you can expect a fresh, dry white wine with crisp acidity, herbaceous aromas with ripe citrus and green fruit on the palate. The addition of Menu Pineau grapes softens and six months of ageing on the lees rounds out the texture and brings the balance on the finish.

Says the Head Sommelier of Gauthier Soho, David Havlik:

'This wine was a revelation to a less-known parts of the Loire Valley which is exactly what we are looking to bring to our menu. Although usually you would see the local pairing of Valençay white wine and goat cheese, the season offers the perfect pairing as I am pairing this wine with our incredible Golden Fennel Boulangère, Raw Williams Pear, Toasted Walnut and Lovage Jus. The herbaceous notes support the fresh vegetable and grassy notes in the Lovage Jus. You can easily pair this with green vegetable dishes, poultry or with the last glimmers of summer sun on a lazy afternoon.