Loire Valley Red Wines

[Scoop]

Glad you liked "my store", Innkeeper. Best prices in Manhattan with great selections in almost all categories (only their German section is a little disappointing).

Unless they raised their price overnight, it sounds like you might have purchased Hureau's Cuvee des Fevettes instead(or, you might have been charged for it!), which is about $4 more expensive than the Grand Cuvee. (IMO, there is very little difference between the two -- both are made in a similar style, with maybe a little more restraint in the Fevette. For my money, the Grand Cuvee is the bargain. I hope you weren't overcharged, because I bought the GC just last week for $11.99

As for the white Chinon, my guess would be Chenin Blanc, but I'll consult some sources on that.

Not to belabor Hureau, but they make fabulous Chenin-based whites, too. The 1996 Samur is a huge quince bomb that's nicely off dry (picture it with some duck.) Their Saumur dessert offering is also top-notch, not OTT sweet, with a very nuanced honeysuckle nose ($17.99). Great with a lavender creme brulee.

Cheers,

Scoop