($16, Vineyard Brands):  The Loire Valley is home to a vast number of wines made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape, the best known of which are those from Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé appellations.  But other appellations, such as the wider one, Tourraine, should not be forgotten, especially as prices of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé rise.  This one has a subtle herbal or grassy bite.  Its gentle profile makes it work as a stand-alone aperitif, but it has enough bite to cut through spicy shrimp scampi.
88 Michael Apstein Mar 24, 2020