Spring into the Loire
Three dry whites, two reds and a sparkling wine.
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Inside the case you'll get...
Le Colombier, Touraine Sauvignon, 2021
Gooseberry scent - and gooseberry on the palate too, along with notes of crisp pineapple and kiwi fruit. With a lemony finish, this is correctly zippy. Now-2023.
ColourWhite
RegionLoire
Grape VarietySauvignon
Vintage2021
ABV12.5%
CodeCOL121
Loire Valley
In early February I undertook our annual visit to the wine fair in Angers, escaping the snow which engulfed much of the UK during that week.
This is the yearly opportunity for the vast majority of vignerons in the Loire valley to show off their latest offerings to the rest of the world. The early season’s weather in 2008 was not kind, with variously frost, hail and torrential...
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Cabernet Sauvignon
The most prestigious red grape?
Origins
- Bordeaux region, as a natural cross of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc (established 1997 by DNA analysis)
- Was known as Vidure or Petit-Vidure
- Spread throughout left bank of Bordeaux, supplanting white grapes
Characteristics
- Fairly easy to grow: hardy, buds...
Domaine de la Chauvinière, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur lie, 2020
Muscadet, grown at the mouth of the Loire (where the climate isn't that dissimilar to Cornwall) is the traditional French accompaniment to Atlantic oysters and other seafood. From low yielding vines on the estate's classic granitic soils - with a little clay. Open, generous mouthful with lemon and pear fruit, crisp and mouthwatering with textbook zest and balance, and a dry, gently saline finish. Now-2022
It is hard to believe when meeting Jérémie Huchet that he has been...
ColourWhite
RegionLoire
Sub RegionMuscadet
GrowerDomaine de la Chauvinière
Grape VarietyMelon de Bourgogne
Vintage2020
ABV12%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeHUC120
Loire Valley
In early February I undertook our annual visit to the wine fair in Angers, escaping the snow which engulfed much of the UK during that week.
This is the yearly opportunity for the vast majority of vignerons in the Loire valley to show off their latest offerings to the rest of the world. The early season’s weather in 2008 was not kind, with variously frost, hail and torrential...
Discover More
Forges, Chenin de Loire, 2021
Apple-scented; and red-apple flavoured. Dry but juicy; and flowers on the palate. An unexpected delight, delivering fruit and weight. Now-2023.
ColourWhite
RegionLoire
GrowerForges
Grape VarietyChenin Blanc
Vintage2021
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeFOR821
Loire Valley
In early February I undertook our annual visit to the wine fair in Angers, escaping the snow which engulfed much of the UK during that week.
This is the yearly opportunity for the vast majority of vignerons in the Loire valley to show off their latest offerings to the rest of the world. The early season’s weather in 2008 was not kind, with variously frost, hail and torrential...
Discover More
Chenin Blanc
Origins
- Anjou in the Loire, where documented in the 9thC
- Also known as Pineau in the Loire, Steen in South Africa
Characteristics
- Naturally productive and high yielding
- Huge range of styles: bone dry (e.g. Savennières); off-dry (e.g. old fashioned South African "Steen"); medium dry (e.g....
Domaine des Forges, Anjou Rouge, 2021
Pure Cabernet Franc, unoaked. We always enjoy this wine for its honest, slatey character (weirdly enough it’s grown on greyish shale), that mineral expression of Loire Cabernet Franc, but this vintage it seems to have an extra dollop of juicy black fruit. Deeply hued, offering a primary fruit perfume of cherries and plums, it’s supple, and surprisingly ripe and fleshy for the price. Lightly chill and bring on some cold cuts and charcuterie. Brilliant at this price. Now-2024
ColourRed
RegionLoire
GrowerForges
Grape VarietyCabernet Franc
Vintage2021
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeFOR121
Loire Valley
In early February I undertook our annual visit to the wine fair in Angers, escaping the snow which engulfed much of the UK during that week.
This is the yearly opportunity for the vast majority of vignerons in the Loire valley to show off their latest offerings to the rest of the world. The early season’s weather in 2008 was not kind, with variously frost, hail and torrential...
Discover More
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Francis a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon.
A cross of it with Sauvignon Blanc resulted in Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc tends to be softer and has less tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon, although the two can be difficult to distinguish. Many of the red wines of the Loire are primarily Cabernet Franc.
Origins ...
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Domaine de la Guilloterie, Saumur-Champigny, Tradition, 2018
Unoaked, enticingly dramatic purple, with a perfume made up of berries and roses, this is richly black-fruited, silky, with attractive chalky and leafy hints. Long and complete, a winner again. A match made in heaven for roast ham. Now-2024Saumur-Champigny is a very fashionable appellation in France, leading to price inflation, but it is still possible to find value. This is the Duveau family's principal wine at Guilloterie.
ColourRed
RegionLoire
GrowerDomaine de la Guilloterie
Grape VarietyCabernet Franc
Vintage2018
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeGUL318
Loire Valley
In early February I undertook our annual visit to the wine fair in Angers, escaping the snow which engulfed much of the UK during that week.
This is the yearly opportunity for the vast majority of vignerons in the Loire valley to show off their latest offerings to the rest of the world. The early season’s weather in 2008 was not kind, with variously frost, hail and torrential...
Discover More
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Francis a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon.
A cross of it with Sauvignon Blanc resulted in Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc tends to be softer and has less tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon, although the two can be difficult to distinguish. Many of the red wines of the Loire are primarily Cabernet Franc.
Origins ...
Discover More
Diamant, Cremant de Loire, NV
An easy-drinking, light, perfectly clean and fresh sparkling wine from Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay - produced in the same way as Champagne (i.e with a secondary fermentation in the bottle to create the fizz). Ripe, gently appley fruit, lightly creamy, with a little structure too. Easy to like, and classier than a lot of Prosecco. Now-2022Sparkling wine has been produced in Saumur in the same way as Champagne (i.e with a secondary fermentation in the bottle to create the fizz) since the early...
ColourWhite
StyleSparkling
RegionLoire
Sub RegionAnjou-Saumur
GrowerCaves de la Loire
Grape VarietyChenin Blanc & Chardonnay
VintageNV
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeDIA1NV
Loire Valley
In early February I undertook our annual visit to the wine fair in Angers, escaping the snow which engulfed much of the UK during that week.
This is the yearly opportunity for the vast majority of vignerons in the Loire valley to show off their latest offerings to the rest of the world. The early season’s weather in 2008 was not kind, with variously frost, hail and torrential...
Discover More
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most-widely planted varieties in the world.
Arguably not the most characterful grape, hence its common ageing in oak, yet at its pinnacle in Burgundy it produces some of the greatest (and certainly most expensive) white wines in the world. Look out for unoaked Chardonnay, it can make a pleasant change, and usually goes down very well with all those people who...
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Here’s the full tasting note for...
Spring into the Loire
Three dry whites, two reds and a sparkling wine.
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