I visited the Loire Valley and stayed at La Demeure de la Vignole just outside Saumur (https://www.demeure-vignole.com/). It’s a complex of ‘Troglodite’ caves, once home to a poor community of farmers, now home to a luxury hotel. The two sparkling wines I liked most were Bouvet-Ladubay in central Saumur and this one, towards Turquant where…
Tag: France
Chablis Vieilles Vignes Pierre de Prehy – Brocard
Chablis Vieilles Vignes Pierre de Prehy – Brocard is good wine from another well respected producer – not cheap, but for a few pounds more than many other Chablis you get more complexity & minerality – better wine for your money. Tasting notes: Crisp, elegant Chablis with flavours of citrus, white peach and some minerality….
Domaine Reverdy Ducroux Sancerre ‘Beau Roy’
Domaine Reverdy Ducroux Sancerre ‘Beau Roy’ is one of my favourite Loire Valley sauvignons; more supple and less pinched than most Pouilly Fumes… Tasting notes: Light and soft, with notes of apple and balanced acidity. Refreshing, fruity and ready to drink. Wine Colour – White Price – £13 – from Sainsburys Current Vintage – 2016…
Domaine les Marroniers Montmains Chablis Primier Cru
Domaine les Marroniers Montmains Chablis Primier Cru is another good looking bottle, and came in a wooden box. It was good, but rather pricey… Tasting notes: Initially detected some mineral notes. Hints of tropical fruits. Some creaminess on the palate. Good texture. Wine Colour – White Price – £14 Current Vintage – 2016 Producer –…
Signe Bourgogne Montagny
This Montagny is good, if not exceptional Chardonnay. Good value for money though, and in an attractive bottle, it makes a change from Chablis. Tasting notes: Notes of tropical fruits. Some minerality & creaminess on the palate. Elegant for the money. Good texture. Wine Colour – White Price – £9 Current Vintage – 2016 Producer…
Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne
Veuve Clicquot is one of those champagne labels that denotes quality. It’s one of my favourites along with Pol Roger & Bollinger – at this price however it is only for very special occasions… Tasting notes: Notes of red fruits. Biscuity, brioche, stonefruit and almond elements on the palate. Elegant – but not overly delicate;…
Winter whites for the festive season
These are the white wines for the festive season – and they’re all French. They’re not all Chardonnays from Burgundy, however – there’s a lovely Sancerre on the list! First up (left)is Signe Bourgogne Montagny Tasting notes: Notes of tropical fruits. Some minerality & creaminess on the palate. Elegant for the money. Good texture. Wine…
Gros Plant du Pays Nantais Sur Lie – Pierre Chanau
I’ve tasted my way from Nantes to Pouilly-sur-Loire over the course of several visits to the region. I’m a big fan of Muscadet in the summer; for me it’s the perfect wine to wash down moules mariniere. I wrote recently that Gros Plant was made from the Picpoul grape – however research for this article…
Pinot Noir Bouchard Aine & Fils
An attractive looking bottle from a well respected Burgundy producer. Tasting notes: Initially detected some earthy, toasty, oaky notes. Hints of berry fruits. Typical pinot noir texture. Wine Colour – Red Price – £12.66 Where do I get it from? Widely available Current Vintage – 2016 Producer – Bouchard Grape – 100% Pinot Noir Region/Country…
Bourgogne Chardonnay Bouchard Pere & Fils
We used to go to France every 2 months to stock up on food and wine. With declining Sterling rates, busier lives and Calais resembling a post-Apocalyptic bandit-zone we lost interest… Last week we returned. Calais is still not what it used to be; there’s high fencing, razor wire, and most of the roadside trees…
Limoux Chardonnay, Sainsburys Taste the Difference
One of six ‘Taste the Difference’ Chardonnays on offer from Sainsburys (four French, one Chilean and one Australian), ranging in price from £6 – £11. This Limoux Chardonnay comes from the well respected producer, Paul Mas. Tasting notes: Straw colour. Initially some creamy, toasted vanilla notes from oak barrel ageing. Dry. Region of Origin –…
Macon-Chardonnay Bouchard Aine & Fils
Bouchard are a well regarded producer from Beaune in Burgundy, where they have been producing wines (pinot noir and chardonnay) since 1750. This wine has pedigree… I liked this, though at £10 I suspect you are paying a premium for their name and label, but I didn’t feel ripped off. Tasting notes: Pale colour. Initially some…
A Time for Wine 