So far from the 2025 edition of the SuperValu French Wine Event we’ve had a standout red from the Rhône and a pair of party wines.
Now we have a pair of classic white wines. I’ve tasted and even reviewed several previous vintages of these wines
Domaine de Terres Blanches “Alchimie” Coteaux Giennois Sauvignon Blanc 2023
From a lesser-known Loire appellation comes this great value Sauvignon Blanc. You’d hope that an AOC without the cachet of its famous neighbours (Sancerre and others) would be more moderately priced, and thankfully that’s the case.
In the glass it shows a light lemon colour with green flecks, reflecting the variety and relatively young age. The nose has notes of freshly-mown grass, grapefuit, green pepper, lemon and lime.
The palate is initially tangy, though not sharp. The mid palate is delightful, with a mix of tangy green elements and an interlaced web of light tropical notes. Everything is woven together in a fine mesh, such that no single element stands out from the blend. It’s wrapped up by a precise, clean finish.
This is a great example of Loire Sauvignon, falling midway between entry level Touraines and premium Sancerres.
- RRP: €15 down to €10 in the SuperValu French Wine Event (Thurs 4th Sept to Weds 24th Sept)
- ABV: 12.5%
- Source: sample
- Stockists: SuperValu stores and supervalu.ie
André Goichot Chablis 2023
André Goichot is a negociant business, buying grapes throughout Burgundy for their own label. This AOC Chablis is their bread and butter, and given the price rises in Bourgogne wines over the past half decade, it’s a great way to get into the area’s wine.
The colour of this Chablis is mid lemon, a tiny bit darker than the Alchimie, most probably just down to the difference in grape varieties (this is, of course, a Chardonnay). A good sniff reveals roundness but not plumpness; there’s a little melon and pear, and a whole range of apples. It’s like an orchard on the nose.
The palate is round again, but with a crisp finish. This is riper than some of the Chablis of yesteryear, but it’s still identifiably Chablis – “typique”, as the locals would say. Even with global warming, this northern outpost of Burgundy is on the leaner side.
- RRP: €21 down to €15 in the SuperValu French Wine Event (Thurs 4th Sept to Weds 24th Sept)
- ABV: 12.5%
- Source: sample
- Stockists: SuperValu stores and supervalu.ie
Conclusion
In my opinion these two wines are of about the same quality and offer good value for money at their sale prices. I’d probably hesitate to buy the Chablis at it’s full price, but the Alchimie is a great little quaffer even at €15. At the offer price, I’d be emptying the shelves of the Alchimie!
