Calvet Pouilly-Fume 2013

From - Loire, France
Grape - Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol - 12.5%
Available from - Waitrose, Ocado
Price - £15.49 (currently £9.99)

Appearance - Clear; lemon-gold; medium intensity

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; developing; herby, lime, apple, mineral.

Palate - Dry; medium+ acid; medium intensity; medium body; medium alcohol; medium+ length; lemon& lime, mineral, apple on the finish.

Balance - 7.5  Length - 8  Intensity - 6 Complexity - 7

Pouilly-Fume comes from the opposite bank of the Loire from Sancerre, made with the same grape.  This is all you would expect of a good quality French Sauvignon Blanc.  It doesn't have the big boquet that you get from Marlborough SB, but is more restrained and elegant.  It does have the high level of acid that you will always get with SB, and is a really lovely and interesting combination of flavours.  A great aperitif drink, but would combine well with the usual fare - salads, seafood etc.

Chateau de Fesles Chenin Sec 2011

From - Loire, France
Grape - Chenin Blanc
Alcohol - 13.5%
Price - £13.99
Available - waitrosecellar.com; Ocado

Appearance - Clear, medium intensity, golden

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; developing; floral, pear, honey

Palate - Dry; medium+ acidity; medium+ alcohol; medium+ body; medium intensity; pears, limes, smoke, savoury spice.

Balance - 7.5 Length - 7  Intensity -7  Complexity - 7

An acidic white with silky mouth-feel, and a good length.  This would be a good aperitif and worked well with the Thai curry we had.  Pleasant enough, although I am not sure it'd be one I'll be looking out for, in the future.  High acid should make it last well and I think that it would improve with age.