Only a two-hour drive from Paris, France's châteaux-studded Loire Valley is a spectacular place to visit, and most importantly, to taste! The incredible variety of wines produced stretches from the Atlantic coastal areas all the way west to the villages of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in the center of the country. The Loire's cool climate produces wines with beautiful fruit but also the perfect balance of acidity and lift. Here, Sauvignon Blanc rules the roost, however our tasting this weekend focuses other important varietal players. 2015 Domaine Herbauges Chardonnay - Loire Valley, France Over the years, this has become one of the most popular AWM Hand Picked Selections. We first met vigneron Jerome Choblet years ago at a wine fair in Europe and we've been enamored with his wines ever since! Jerome and his brother Luc are the third generation to make wine at their family estate, in the Côtes de Grandlieu sub-appellation of Muscadet. The vineyard proximity to both the Atlantic and the Lac de Grand-Lieu provides a temperate coastal climate that makes for perfectly ripened and balanced fruit. Careful vineyard management has enabled Jérôme to stop using all insecticides, weed killers and other chemical elements and he has grassed over 100% of the vineyards to reduce the vigour of the vines and to soak up rain at harvest. Jerome's Chardonnay is super fresh, crisp and produced without any oak influence to preserve the freshness of the bright fruit. If you're not fond of the richer, buttery styles of Chardonnay, do try this one! Regular price here at the AWM: $14.99 Another exclusive AWM selection from our friend Jerome Choblet of Domain Herbauges. The electric pink color of this dazzling Rosé throws a perfect hint of the dark red berry and red fruit notes to come from this full bodied Rosé It's a very limited production from selections of old vines plots of 50-year-old Grolleau Noir and 35-year-old old Gamay and the old vine fruit is the key to this wine's depth and complexity. Notes of raspberry and grenadine introduce a zippy and perfectly dry palate of red cherries and orange blossom. The fuller bodied palate of this wine makes it wonderfully suitable for fall dishes, however, don't forget to save a bottle or two for the Thanksgiving table! Regular price here at the AWM: $13.99 This is another one of Larry's hand-picked selections, exclusive to the AWM. Read more about this gem below in his more detailed notes below... Regular price here at the AWM: $16.99 |