La Belle Saison

An interesting thing about this Sauvignon Blanc is that the low ABV is not mentioned in the maker’s notes nor on the back of the bottle. It’s a classic French Sauvignon, crisp, light and green, and though the fact that it’s only 9.5 % is shown in the obligatory unit count, the French seem to prefer to major on its classic qualities, and consider the low alcohol count just an accidental by-product. It has a zesty lime-green quality, with a good dryness and great depth of flavour. It leans in on an earthy flintiness and minerality, and its acidity is not as high as a New World Sauvignon would be. There’s no sense of compromise with the lower abv – it’s a natural by-product of making a French Sauvignon and the crisp body and depth is uncompromised. If you like Pouilly Fume or Sancerre, this is a great lower-alcohol alternative.