Discussion
My specialty - except I mostly drink white...
Head over to Vouvray, just west of Tours for outstanding fizzy stuff at a bargain price. The still chenin-blanc is also glorious.
Most Sauv Blancs in the Tourraine area are cracking - you're also not far from the Muscadet area which produces a vastly underrate bone dry white.
My advice - just get out there and go visiting the Caves...
Head over to Vouvray, just west of Tours for outstanding fizzy stuff at a bargain price. The still chenin-blanc is also glorious.
Most Sauv Blancs in the Tourraine area are cracking - you're also not far from the Muscadet area which produces a vastly underrate bone dry white.
My advice - just get out there and go visiting the Caves...
Yes. Buy some Chateau de la Grille which is in Chinon.
http://www.chateau-de-la-grille.com
The Loire whites are far more attractive, however this particular red is very good indeed - quite tanic when young, but will keep.
Bit of a trek (50 miles) but consider a visit to Chateau des Fesles, Bonnezaux.
des Fesles is a little known but legendary dessert wine. Whilst expensive, there are two rules with Bonnezaux:
1) Once you've tried it, you will buy a bottle.
2) Drink it in its first year, or leave it to your grandchildren (sic)
Parisien trainee sommeliers are sent there every year. Every time the owner tells them rule 1, and every one of them buys (even on their YTS wages).
The place itself with its cellars cut into the chalk is worth a visit, with some great stories in its history.
des Fesles is a little known but legendary dessert wine. Whilst expensive, there are two rules with Bonnezaux:
1) Once you've tried it, you will buy a bottle.
2) Drink it in its first year, or leave it to your grandchildren (sic)
Parisien trainee sommeliers are sent there every year. Every time the owner tells them rule 1, and every one of them buys (even on their YTS wages).
The place itself with its cellars cut into the chalk is worth a visit, with some great stories in its history.
If you make it to Puilly sur Loire, then I would recommend going to the caves of Jean Pabiot. http://www.jean-pabiot.com/
They produce an excellent Pouilly Fumé. I bought direct from them about twenty years ago and was there in May this year and the quality is great.
They also produce a good Sancerre. They get the Sancerre grapes brought across the river and make the wine on site.
They produce an excellent Pouilly Fumé. I bought direct from them about twenty years ago and was there in May this year and the quality is great.
They also produce a good Sancerre. They get the Sancerre grapes brought across the river and make the wine on site.
Edited by Blatter on Friday 17th July 17:35
Thunderace said:
We usually go to this place in Vouvray\Rochecorbon.
Bourillon
Excellent fizz\still\dessert wines and worth a wander around the caves to see the carvings. Fred the owner also likes cars and is surprised by how much of his booze we can fit in a VX220.
What are the prices like? We normally just go to the Caves des Producteurs for the sub €10 stuff.Bourillon
Excellent fizz\still\dessert wines and worth a wander around the caves to see the carvings. Fred the owner also likes cars and is surprised by how much of his booze we can fit in a VX220.
Live dangerously - drink red. There are some fantastic wines produced in Bourgeuil and St Nicholas de Bourgeuil and most of the growers sell direct too. Look out for Frederic Mabileau who is in both and is one of the best.
Oops - just drive into Chinon and you can walk back down the road and try most of the main growers produce in about two hours as they all have cellars along there. Also, if in Chinon you MUST go to Au Plaisir Gourmand which is on the left hand (west?) end of the old town just before the free parking starts. The food is to die for, as is the wine list.
Oops - just drive into Chinon and you can walk back down the road and try most of the main growers produce in about two hours as they all have cellars along there. Also, if in Chinon you MUST go to Au Plaisir Gourmand which is on the left hand (west?) end of the old town just before the free parking starts. The food is to die for, as is the wine list.
Edited by rlw on Saturday 18th July 11:18
Edited by rlw on Saturday 18th July 16:09
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