2006 Jardin de la Fruitiere, $10, VdP Loire Atlantique, JD Headrick Selections (50-50 Chardonnay and Melon de Bourgogne). Reds: 2006 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Pif, $14, Louis/Dressner Selections (blend of old vines Malbec, young Cabernet Franc). For several months now the Euro is comfortably in the 1.5 range. Yup, it costs over $1.50 MORE >>

Sauvignon Blanc tends to dominate the blends, the balance typically Chardonnay. Sancerre and Pouilly Fume are the big shots for Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire Valley, but great wines hail from appellations like Menetou Salon, Quincy, Touraine, and tiny Cheverny, and at about half the price. Whites, like reds in Cheverny, must be blended. MORE >>

Happily for consumers, there are many producers making great wine in Touraine, Cheverny and other parts of the Loire, many of the wines at this price. This one, like all Cheverny, is actually a blend, with about 10% Chardonnay in the mix. That's a fun thing to do on a summer evening though, so no complaints. Another time. MORE >>

Yes, there is some white wine (Chardonnay) made in Beaujolais, but almost 99% of production is red wine, and it's all about Gamay. If you are really into wine from the Loire Valley you know that Gamay appears in some Touraine wines. First time checking out the Beaujolais Challenge? Don't worry, you haven't missed anything. MORE >>

This is just north-east of the Touraine appellation - you can see the area in gray below. White wines labeled Cheverny may contain Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc, but every white Cheverny I have encountered is primarily a Sauvignon Blanc with a bit of Chard blended in. But in this case, I'm going for it. It costs $13.50 MORE >>