Wine of the Week: 2010 Regis Minet Pouilly Fume ‘Vieilles Vignes’

The minute I tasted this terrific Pouilly Fume from Regis Minet, I wanted oysters. Not just a half dozen but at least a couple dozen, chilled, naked and preferably Kumamotos. Minet’s old-vine Sauvignon Blanc picks up a stony minerality and bracing acidity that would be perfect with most things from the raw bar. You can taste lime and grapefruit too in this intense, nervous white.

It’s also a fine value for a wine of this quality.

● Region: Loire Valley

● Price: From $18 to $23

● Style: Lively

● What it goes with: Oysters and clams on the half shell, crab, seafood paella.

By S. Irene Virbila

(Los Angeles Times)

(MCT Information Services)