Thread: Visit to Loire Valley

On 11/05/2011 06:03, covala wrote:
> In about a month I will be spending three days in the lower Loire valley
> (Vouvray, Chinon, Saumur, etc.). In addition to the many chateaus and a
> couple of cathedrals, I would like to visit some wineries in the area.
> I'm interested in places where an American visitor would encounter a
> friendly reception. I'm not interested (necessarily) in those wineries
> that have received great scores from WS or WA or that are well known
> because they have wide distribution in the USA. What I'm really looking
> for are recommendations based on personal experience. Ideally, places
> where there is someone who speaks a little bit of English (to complement
> my ability to speak a little bit of French) and where one I can walk out
> feeling that I have made a friend that I likely will never see again.

Go to the Cave Insolite in Montlouis, write down the names of the wines
they carry (including their own, which is extraordinary), and go see
them all.

In Vouvray, go to see Domaine Huet. Ask them for a tour of the excaved
caves (will depend on how much time they have) and they have a tasting room
where they will pour several wines for you, with staff that speaks English.
If you want to meet Noel Pinguet himself he does not speak English.

They will even sell you some wine at a good price, that you can take with
you to drink while on your trip.

They will appreciate if you get an appointment first.

If you have the time, take the route uphill to see Le Clos de Bourg. Lovely
vineyard.

s.

In message <[email protected]>, Joseph Coulter
<[email protected]> writes
>On Tue, 10 May 2011 21:03:52 -0700, covala <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>In about a month I will be spending three days in the lower Loire valley
>>(Vouvray, Chinon, Saumur, etc.). In addition to the many chateaus and a
>>couple of cathedrals, I would like to visit some wineries in the area.
>>I'm interested in places where an American visitor would encounter a
>>friendly reception. I'm not interested (necessarily) in those wineries
>>that have received great scores from WS or WA or that are well known
>>because they have wide distribution in the USA. What I'm really looking
>>for are recommendations based on personal experience. Ideally, places
>>where there is someone who speaks a little bit of English (to complement
>>my ability to speak a little bit of French) and where one I can walk out
>>feeling that I have made a friend that I likely will never see again.
>>
>>Suggestions, anyone?
>>
>>Colvala
>
>I must agree that the wineriwes in the Loire are by and larbge good
>places to learn adntaste. The notable exception isthe wineriy at
>Chenoncwaux which is perhaps the most commercial tasting room in
>France. On the other hand the tasting room in Amboise at the base of
>the chateau is excellent and will give a good sampling of what is
>available in the area.


For Saumur, Domaine Filliatreau has good wines, an interesting (cave)
site, and friendly tasting room.

For Vouvray, stop at the tourist office and get their map if you want to
find Huet easily.

Sheila

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Sheila Page

On 05/11/2011 06:03 AM, covala wrote:
> In about a month I will be spending three days in the lower Loire valley
> (Vouvray, Chinon, Saumur, etc.). In addition to the many chateaus and a
> couple of cathedrals, I would like to visit some wineries in the area.
> I'm interested in places where an American visitor would encounter a
> friendly reception. I'm not interested (necessarily) in those wineries
> that have received great scores from WS or WA or that are well known
> because they have wide distribution in the USA. What I'm really looking
> for are recommendations based on personal experience. Ideally, places
> where there is someone who speaks a little bit of English (to complement
> my ability to speak a little bit of French) and where one I can walk out
> feeling that I have made a friend that I likely will never see again.
>
> Suggestions, anyone?
>

The Maison du Vin in Saumur is a good place to taste, they have a wide
selection of local wines. Otherwise Huet is of course a good suggestion.

I could give other suggestions but have no idea who speaks English.
However I might point out that most French people do appreciate it when
you try to speak their language even if you massacre it. And of course
most winemakers have picked up at least a smattering of English over the
years.

-E

On 5/11/11 12:03 AM, covala wrote:
> In about a month I will be spending three days in the lower Loire valley
> (Vouvray, Chinon, Saumur, etc.). In addition to the many chateaus and a
> couple of cathedrals, I would like to visit some wineries in the area.
> I'm interested in places where an American visitor would encounter a
> friendly reception. I'm not interested (necessarily) in those wineries
> that have received great scores from WS or WA or that are well known
> because they have wide distribution in the USA. What I'm really looking
> for are recommendations based on personal experience. Ideally, places
> where there is someone who speaks a little bit of English (to complement
> my ability to speak a little bit of French) and where one I can walk out
> feeling that I have made a friend that I likely will never see again.

Two vignerons who do speak reasonably good English, as evidenced on
their recent trip through the US, are Rene Mosse in Anjou and François
Pinon in Vouvray. I also heartily recommend this latter destination as
his wines from the past few years have been among the most memorable
tastes I've had (and he's a really nice guy). Also Matthieu Baudry, the
son of Bernard Baudry in Chinon, speaks good English and is a very nice
person. Baudry is IMO one of the top producers of Cabernet Franc in the
Loire Valley to boot.

Mark Lipton
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