Tag Archives: loire valley
Chenin Blanc, David Monopole, Arnaud Lambert, Brézé, Saumur AOC, Loire Valley, France, 2020, 13.9% abv., US$88
In September 2023, we dropped into Monterey, California for the Rennsport 7 Reunion, a kind of convention for Porsche enthusiasts. On the last night, and to celebrate 20 years of being together, we dined at ‘Passionfish’. We are no slouches … Continue reading
Chenin Blanc, Clos de la Coulée de Serrant, Appellation Savennières – Coulée de Serrant Contrôlée, Savennières, Loire Valley, France 2010, 15% abv., US$68.70 (in 2014)
I read a lot about wine, and the one thing that consistently irritates me about so many reviews is the fawning, oh-my-god-this-wine-is-amazing accolades that many churn out. The thing though is that, truly, there are many wines of the world … Continue reading
Cabernet Franc, Les Muriers, Anjou Villages AC, Loïc Mahé, Loire Valley, France, 12.5% abv. 2013, US$20
These are a few of my favourite things. From a site located in the western part of Savennières and north of the Loire River, Brittany native Loïc Mahé grows bio/organic grapes on shale soils and makes unfiltered wines fermented with natural … Continue reading
Domaine Huet, Le Mont, Sec, Vouvray AC, France, 2011, 13.5% abv. US$30
Do a quick search on this site and you’ll find five other reports on Huet wines that I’ve enjoyed over the past several years, as well as an accounting of our trip there in June 2014. One of my favourite … Continue reading
Génération Dix-Neuf, Sauvignon Blanc, Alphonse Mellot, Sancerre AC, Loire Valley, France, 2012, 13% abv.
We visited this tasting room in the heart of Sancerre in June, 2014. Although I’d booked a personal appointment well in advance, no tour was offered and we simply did the regular tasting with their store employee – who was … Continue reading
Domaine Huet, Le Mont, Sec, Vouvray AC, Loire, France, 2010, 13.5% abv.
I just can’t get enough. Chenin Blanc wines rank up there amongst my favourites; they’re so versatile. All styles are possible – from sweet, botrytis affected dessert wines to slightly off dry versions, to dry, linear, deeply mineral bottles and … Continue reading
Carpe Diem, Melon de Bourgogne, Domaine de l’Ecu, Nantais, Loire, Vin de France, 12% abv, 2012
I visited Domaine de l’Ecu in June 2014 about a week after writing the final Diploma exam. I was still recovering from WSET trauma – but eager to meet renowned winemakers Guy Bossard and Fred Niger van Herck at this … Continue reading
Chateau de Fesles, Bonnezeaux AC, Loire, France, 1999, 13% abv, Edition Limitee, bottle #00235
Château de Fesles is located in the Loire Valley’s Thouarcé district in the Anjou region, very close to the tiny village of Bonnezeaux and in between the Layon (which lies 1.5km to the south) and Loire (18 km to the north) Rivers. The … Continue reading
Reserve des Cleons, Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Sur Lie, AOP, Val de Loire, France, 2013, 12% abv, purchased from Trader Joe’s, Bellingham
Next time you are in the US, run to Trader Joe’s and pick up several of these. Deemed perfect for a seafood platter including some oysters and cheap as can be – only about C$8 – this is a perfectly … Continue reading
Clos de la Coulée de Serrant, Appellation Savennières – Coulée de Serrant Contrôlée, Savennières, Loire, France, 2009, 15.5% abv.
So often, the terms, ‘excellent’, ‘outstanding’ and ‘first class’ are bandied about and used with regard to less-than-stellar wines. Not this time. This is from the Clos de la Coulée de Serrant, a vineyard of only 7 ha in Savennières on … Continue reading
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