Cave de Saumur, Saumur (Loire Valley, France) 2018

 This bright and juicy Chenin Blanc from the Saumur appellation of the Loire Valley is made for warm summer lunches, dinners and picnics.  Light yellow color and white peach, pink grapefruit, aromas with a hint of lychee and wet stone announce flavors of white peach, Granny Smith apple Meyer lemon with a creamy texture invigorated by zesty acidity.  The grapes are from 40-plus year old vines grown in the Les Pouches vineyard and made by members of the Cave de Saumur cooperative.  It is fermented at cool temperature, aged on its lees for four months in stainless steel, bottled then stored in the limestone caves near the Loire River, the longest river in France.