And to continue my trend on my other passion, wines , need to show you a bit more on my newest adopted region, the Loire. You can catch up searching my blog on my previous wine posts and personal prowess on the world of wines.
For now , let me tell you a bit on some of the Loire wines I have enjoyed lately. Even if still will give you an overall picture on the Loire wines, more in my blog on the wine region.
The Loire Valley vineyard extends over almost 1000 kilometers, it follows the Loire from its source to its estuary: from the Massif Central to Nantes! Loire wine is produced in the departments of Loire-Atlantique (44), Vendée (85), Maine-et-Loire (49), Deux-Sèvres (79), Vienne (86), Sarthe (72), Indre (36), Indre-et-Loire (37), Loir-et-Cher (41), Loiret (45), Cher (18), Nièvre (58), Allier (03), Puy-de-Dôme (63) and Loire (42). The wine route extends for 800km from Nantes in the west to Saint-Pourçain in the south via Orléans, Sancerre, Tours; etc.
The official wine webpage for the Loire is in English here: Official Wines of the Loire Valley
The Château de la Noë is an exceptional collection of rustic Italian architecture. L’Orangerie is the witness of this era built according to the Tuscan model with brick frames. Its construction was undertaken between 1835 and 1837. The orangeries are located facing south. In winter, when the sun is low, it brings direct light and warmth to the room. The 60 ha vineyard extends over the town of Vallet in Loire Atlantique dept 44. It is an exceptional terroir, composed of crystalline rocks, which gives pride of place to the local grape variety. This is an exceptional find in Muscadet Sévre et Maine sur Lie 2016 white wine , great with the local seafood and fish or as an apéritif! The Melon de Bourgogne and the richness of soils draws wines of the Muscadet Sévre et Maine designation with freshness, minerality and finesse. The cost is 7 euros in France. More in French on the Property here: Official Chateau la Noe webpage
Down over St Nicolas de Bourgueil one of the better find areas here we met first in Vannes wine fair and then on site the funny couple owners Claudine and Christel of the EARL Cousseau Boireau 2017 , these are wonderful red wines. They open their doors all year round for visits of their vines, winery and cellar. Learn how they work the vines and make their full-bodied red wine using traditional techniques, hand-harvesting the grapes then maturing and storing in oak casks. The cost is about 6 euros in France. More here in French: St Nicolas de Bourgueuil on wines of Rodaie in English
Since 1885 and six generations, the BOUGRIER family has been working to recognize the wines of the Loire Valley and is recognized today as one of the last family houses covering the whole of the Loire Valley, from Nantes to in Sancerre. The Cost is about 7 euros in France. The main area they cover is the appellation Touraine-Amboise a wonderful spot for light fruity inexpensive wines to drink every day we go for it always. The Cuvée Leonard De Vinci 2012 as well as the new bottle design for 2018 is a perfect example of price/quality ratio. More info on the family Bougrier in French: Official Family Bougrier touraine amboise
In 1395, Philippe le Hardy decided to improve the quality of the wines and prohibited the cultivation of Gamay in favor of Pinot Noir in his land. It is the first food decree in the world, precursor of controlled designations of origin (AOC). Bourgueil is town located in the department of Indre-et-Loire no 37 in the Centre Val de Loire region. Bourgueil is at the heart of the Touraine vineyard, on the slopes of the Loire Valley, producing famous red wines which were celebrated by Ronsard, by Rabelais and by Honoré de Balzac. The wines are vinified from the Cabernet Franc grape variety (locally called Breton). Cabernet-Sauvignon can also intervene within the limit of 10%. The Philippe de Valois 2018 is a very hardy red wine as compare to the region and goes well with red meats. Great price/quality ratio with a cost about 8 euros in France. webpage on the cellar coop is here in French: Cellars of Bourgueuil on the wines of Philippe de Valois
In 1460, the territory of present-day France was divided into 3: François II, Duke of Brittany, Charles Le Téméraire, Duke of Burgundy and Louis XI, King of France. Charles and François join forces against Louis XI. Charles offers François le Berligou, a Burgundy grape variety. It will be planted on 4 to 5 ha in Couéron north-west of Nantes and, curiously, in Batz sur Mer near Guérande. Anne of Brittany, the daughter of François II, married Charles VIII then with Louis XII and became queen of France twice!. She demanded that her Berligou be served in Orleans, Blois and Langeais. Louis XIV will make it known at Versailles.
Berligou is a rare grape variety whose original name is Berkovsko Tcherno; it is a black Russian grape variety with medium to large, conical clusters, medium berries, ellipsoids, dark blue. It would be a variation of Pinot noir. In Loire Atlantique, it is called the Berligou.
In 2011, the Poiron-Dabin estate planted 1.5 ha of Berligou. The first bunches are harvested in 2014 It is aged 6 months in a glass tank and then for 12 months in Breton oak barrels from the forests of Brocéliande and Gâvre (as François II probably would have ordered) made at a cooper in Douarnenez (29). The Poiron-Dabin estate is located in Château-Thébaud in the heart of the Muscadet appellation of Sèvre et Maine. . This is a property I visited several times and even stayed overnight in the vineyards; the Berligou is a find, great red full body and one grape/wine to find and try by all. Very good quality/price ratio indeed. The cost is about 12 euros in France. Webpage: Official Poiron Dabin on the Berligou red
And there you some latest years find I just needed to tell you in addition to my historical posts on the Loire wine region in my blog. Hope you enjoy it and do come and drink , with moderation of course, but drink wine is good for you , the traditions, and the economy. Enjoy the Loire wines as we do
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 