Sauvignon Blanc (light and lean style)

You don't have to call it by its full name (Sauvignon is enough), but you have to try it, and you will have to spend some more money than usual, I'm afraid, £15 being the minimum. Not something that I learnt from a book, but something I drew upon my own experience. And this is how I see it (mind you! this is my personal subjective opinion):
In case of French wines, it is like with brand shoes. You may only enjoy them for a while, will not survive one winter, will not go with many of your jeans, and you still have to pay heck of a lot. And more often than not you pay for the label, not necessarily for the quality, when you could actually spend half as much on a better pair that just doesn't have a famous name on it. I'm sorry Tommy, but your stuff is just way too overpriced.
So here we are, French regions are said to boast best wines, but do they indeed? Some of them of course, but NOT ALL of them, so don't you think that buying a French bottle you will get wine. Tricky business, this wine drinking, I'm telling ya! ;)

AROMA AND FLAVOUR:
Light and lean Sauvignon grape will produce... light and lean wine ;) Voila!
Too easy?
You can still make it more complex and divide flavours by appellation. Thus, Sancerre is bone-dry and lemony while Pouilly-Fumé is famous for its smoky note.

BEST REGIONS:
* The Loire Valley (France) - a cool wine region in the middle of France. And as mentioned above, the two most famous appellations produced in there are:
Sancerre
(http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/Domaine-la-Croix-St-Laurent-Le-Ch%EAne-Marchand-2013/29632)
and Pouilly-Fumé
(http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/Domaine-des-Mariniers-2013/29487)

*New World (Tasmania, Canterbury/Waipara in New Zealand & Elgin in South Africa).
Go for one of these if you fancy crisper wine that tastes of citrus fruit more than anything else.
(https://www.crackawines.com.au/Josef_Chromy/2013_Josef_Chromy_Sauvignon_Blanc/Sales)

Riesling (light and elegant)

Riesling, the 2012 vintage, Germany, Rheinhessen, QbA

Riesling was my first chosen grape when I started learning about wines. And it is one of my firsts (=best) grapes. Is it because it is light and elegant like me? ;) Could be...

AROMA AND FLAVOUR:
When I hear Riesling, I think refreshing and zesty wine and this is how it should be. You can taste citrusy note, a bit of crunchy apple that promise a crisp finish. If offers a great change to other chunky wines we are presented with on shop shelves.

BEST REGION no 1:
* Germany
Of course it had to be Germany! Didn't the name sound to you tough and strict? ;)
As a child I was sure they produce best shampoo and dark chocolate. As a woman I have discovered they also grow excellent grapes.

German Riesling will pretend an innocent type as alcohol level will only reach 10% (7-8% are also common).

Thanks to a cool climate wine from Riesling should be subtle, but then again, it may vary from bottle to bottle. So if you feel like something delicate for the first date go for a bottle from the MOSEL region
(http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/Moselgold-Riesling-aus-Steillagen-Trocken-2012/29152).

If you crave for more intense experience, give a try to Riesling from the RHEINGAU (http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/Weingut-Leitz-R%FCdesheimer-Magdalenenkreuz-Sp%E4tlese-2012/29188).

Finally, if you a fan of the unknown, you should choose a modern-style bottle from the PFALZ (http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/Reichsrat-von-Buhl-Deidesheimer-Riesling-2013/29712).

Have you already twisted your tongue trying to spell out the regions? There is more to come...

As for the quality, you really want to (your wallet not so much) try wines labelled QmP (Qualitätswein mit Prädikat) or just Qualitatswein, which designates the first quality. For the record, the 2nd quality category would be QbA. Once you grab a bottle you may look out for category names revealing dryness level. Kabinett -> Spatlese -> Auslese -> Beerenauslese -> Trockenbeerenauslese are in order of increasing sweetness/decreasing dryness.

A lot to remember? Yes. Just as a lot to love :)


* France - Alsace
Surprising? If I tell you that at several times during its history Alsace was incorporated into the German Empire you will see why.

Wine that France can offer will be richer and more full-bodied than their western neighbours as well as it will have higher alcohol levels. Go for bottles labelled grand cru, which will indicate the best fruit in the region.
(http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/29895)

* ... but not least. Australia! Clare Valley and Eden Valley
Go for it if you feel like juicy, sun-kissed wine. Australians produce even riper Riesling which you should fine delicious.
(http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/28727)