As a leaving present, Tesco Wines very generously sent a bottle of Sancerre from their Finest range, which was an excellent tribute to the closing of the online community. After tasting it and thoroughly enjoying its finesse and classicism, I went online to check the price (I know, I know, bad manners and all that) and was amazed to discover it retailing at just under a tenner a bottle. Although the UK Sauvignon market is pretty much dominated by Marlborough producers nowadays, with Sancerre at such a good price it's worth rediscovering the classic French region to remind yourself of the grape's diversity.
Paler and with a slightly more greenish tinge than its Kiwi relatives, this Sancerre had a beguiling nose of citrus fruits and white flower aromas, with both ripe and candied lemon present. The palate was typically refreshing, but the high acidity was countered with upfront fruit comprising lemon, grapefruit and sour apricot, with just the faintest suggestion of the herbal, grassy notes that are so evident in New Zealand Sauvignon. On the whole, I found the Finest Sancerre to be classy, well-balanced and mouthwateringly moreish. I enjoyed it alongside a mild chicken curry dish, which was a fairly good match, but I think baked white fish or even as an apéritif would be ideal.
A fitting send off then, to the Tesco Wine Community: enjoying one of the company's flagship wines produced and bottled under their own label, offering a great example of its type and at a very reasonable price. Adieu!
