Jean-Christophe Mandard Touraine Brut is a cracking traditional method sparkling wine made from Orbois (80%) Chenin Blanc (20%). The wine has a lovely air of lightness on the nose with quince and honey aromas in amongst citrus and pear fruit flavours. The palate is richer and fuller than the nose would suggest with crisp lemon and tangy orange fruit along with honeyed notes which give depth and texture. A very harmonious and elegant wine.

The Domaine is situated outside of Mareuil-sur-Cher, on the south side of the river Cher where the soils are made up of clay, limestone and silex. Altogether they farm 27 hectares, made up from nine different grape varieties of which Sauvignon Blanc remains the most important. It is here, on the deeper clay soils that Sauvignon Blanc displays a lightness, finesse and concentration of flavour that is often lacking from the Touraine Sauvignons of Oisly and Thesee on the north side of the river Cher which are planted on sandier soil. Mandard has some particularly old vines of Sauvignon along with a vineyard in Chenonceaux which is an area of immense potential and offers superb value in comparison to areas like Sancerre.

The Domaine also farms a rare indigenous grape called Orbois, which was quite a revelation due to its texture derived from lees aging rather than oak. Well worth trying.