Loire Valley

 

The Loire Valley

Tasting and wine club pickup! Our next tasting tour through France includes one of it's most beloved regions, the Loire Valley. From the Atlantic Coast to the center of France, the Loire provides wine lovers myriad reasons to fall in love.

In a similarly west to east fashion, we'll explore whites and reds from its list of grapes that have become darlings in today's 'cool-climate' focused wine culture. Looking for a snappy white? You got it. A fruit-forward but crunchy red that's lower in alcohol so I can have a second glass? Absolutely. How about some show-stopping bubbles because we all want to celebrate Fall? Check!

And yes the stories are true. You can no longer throw a stick without hitting someone who loves Sancerre (guilty), but we opted for some literary license to skip Sancerre blanc and share the spotlight with a few other regions. Coteaux du Giennois, anyone?

Domaine Nicolas Brunet Vouvray Brut.  This small producer is in their 9th generation in Vouvray and is dedicated to the mastery of Chenin Blanc. We poured their dry white with great reward a few times this summer.  Their sparkling brut is next-level and should be a staple for anyone looking for a rich, fuller bodied bubbly.

Domaine du Salvard Cheverny.  The Delailles are a 5th generation family northwest of Tourainne in Cheverny, and they fashion a crisp yet complex white from Sauvignon Blanc blended with a splash of Chardonnay.  Sauvingon Blanc AND Chardonnay? But of course! Parisian bistro go-ers love Cheverny for its versatile citrus profile and aromas of sage that pairs with fresh seafood, rich sauces and, well, anything at a Parisian bistro. 

Domaine Villargeau Coteaux du Giennois ‘Les Abeilles’ or "The Bees". This is my Sancerre pinch hitter because the Giennois region is practically unknown, but lies just north of Pouilly-Fume and the Sav Blancs are simply outstanding. This family operation is a relative newcomer (1991) who restored an old estate and several vineyards. I fell in love with "The Bees", a sensational wine with bright aromas and loads of complexity in the taste and finish. I counted. It's now only the ninth wine in the shop with an animal on the label.

2018 Chéreau Carré 'Comte Leloup du Château de Chasseloir'.  It's okay to geek out, even for something as seemingly mundane as Muscadet. Carrés old vine Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine is made of the Melon de Bourgogne grape, a relative of Chardonnay, andi is rich, complex, and a serious wine for Chardonnay lovers.  The average vine age from this single vineyard bottling is over 100 years, and is only made in the best vintages. Comte Leloup sees extensive barrel and bottle age before release, and can age 20 years. Truly worth geeking out over.

Domaine Fouet Saumur Blanc 'L’Ardillon'. Ah, Chenin Blanc. Clarksburg, California's ticket to fame... someday.  Let's harken back to the land of Chenin Blanc, or "Pinot de la Loire" and give it a proper introduction. The first of two wines from Domaine Fouet, 6th generation member Julian Fouet and his L'Ardillon is everything we love about old-world complexity. It's bright aromas, smooth mouthfeel, and zesty, flinty finish is never-ending. Dang,  that the 10th bottle with an animal on it.  I need to slow down. 

Incase you don't speak "Loire", here's where we moved from whites to reds: 

Domaine Fouet Saumur-Champigny 'La Rouge et Noire' Vieilles Vignes. Another from this estate with vines over 50 years of age. This Cabernet Franc is aged in 2-3 year old 500L barrels (about 2 standard barrels worth), which imparts a small amount of additional oak tannins and flavor. This is a fantastic showing of Loire Valley Cabernet Franc's red fruit character, peppery spice, and long, dry finish that has been dialed up a bit with barrel aging. 
CLUB Feature* Domaine André Vatan Sancerre Rouge 'Maulin Bèle'. Red wine from Sancerre?!  Pinot Noir expresses itself extremely well in Sancerre's well known limestone rich soils. One of Andre and Ariel Vatan's estate vineyards that surrounds the winery is Maulin Bele. This bright wine is textured from the 30 year old vines in limestone soils, but sees no oak aging and remains charming and balanced.  It's simply a pleasure to drink.  What about white Sancerre?  We are proud to carry his delicious 'Les Charmes' Sav Blanc, too. 

CLUB Feature* Charles Joguet Chinon Cabernet Franc ‘Les Petites Roches’.  I try to play it cool regarding winemakers and generally avoid 'fan boy' status.  But I cannot contain myself when the down-to-earth winemakers are so darn good, and patient, that they become trend setters. I first learned about Jouguet when reading Kermit Lynch's Adventures on the Wine Route many years ago, and I've since been a fan boy. When Chinon was really losing its focus in the 1970's and 80's, as much of France was, he stayed true to his roots and continued making real wines of place. It was exactly what made Kermit a lifelong believer, and so many American wine drinkers, too.  This entry level wine in Joguet's rather premium portfolio is from a small vineyard that is softer and more elegant than his others (also half the price), with a characteristic peppery spice and incredibly long, dry finish. 

CLUB Feature* 2015 Domaine de la Chevalerie Bourgueil Cabernet France 'Bretêche'.  Noting the vintage here, because the wine is PERFECT right now.  The Caslot family has over 400 years of history in the region and has a more .... positive outlook ... than your typical French vigneron. Perhaps that's simply the youthfulness of the current generation.  From a vineyard that is covered in a meter of rich clay atop tuffeau, Breteche is more concentrated and has taken its time in bottle to really open up.  

Join us! Friday 2-7pm, Sat + Sun 2-6pm.
Tasting fee is $30. Waived w/ 3 bottle purchase. Free for wine club members.