A delicious introduction to the Loire Valley
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If you’ve been following the newsletter these last few weeks, you know I’ve been completely enthralled lately with the wines of Loire Valley in France. This week, I’m offering you a reason to share that enthusiasm — a special deal on a 6-pack of wines from that region.
Summer is the perfect time to discover these wines — the crisp whites are great thirst-quenchers, the rosés are refreshing and the reds are bright and lifted.
From the Atlantic to the middle of France
At just over 1000 km, the Loire River is the longest in France and the 17th longest river in the world. Although it’s not entirely navigable, it’s the river of choice for many of France’s famous Barge excursions. The river winds through countless sleepy villages dotted with majestic castles and noble vineyards. It’s arguably one of the most beautiful and diverse regions in the country.
The Romans may have been the first to plant grapes here, however, the French raised the area’s viticulture and winemaking to an art form. As the river winds through the middle of France and out to the Atlantic coast, it passes through a multitude of wine producing regions. More than 60 appellations produce every type and style of wine imaginable — red, white, rosé, sparkling, sweet, dry and everything in-between.
Summer Discovery 6-pack Deal
The Loving Loire Discovery Pack features a summer-friendly selection that will take you on a wine tour from the Atlantic coast all the way to the western edge of the river valley.
2018 Coing de Sèvre Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine, Saint Fiacre sur Maine
We start at the Atlantic coast with this 100% Melon de Bourgogne from mother-daughter winemakers Aurore & Véronique Günther-Chéreau. Their Muscadet has all of the signature bone-dry, fresh, salty crispness of a maritime climate and the warmer growing season of 2018 added just a touch of richness and body. Perhaps the ultimate wine for shellfish.
2018 Château du Coing Chardonnay d’Aurore, Saint Fiacre sur Maine
One of the best-kept secrets of the Western Loire is the fabulous un-oaked Chardonnay. Over the years, we’ve re-introduced Chardonnay to an army of white wine lovers that swore off the grape many years ago — this is one of those wines that will have you loving Chardonnay again! It’s fresh, crisp, and thanks to the gneiss-riddled soils of the region, the wine presents beautifully delineated mineral notes. Pair with shellfish, white-fleshed fish and chicken.
2017 Raphaël Midoir Touraine Chémery, Touraine, Middle Loire
We move to the middle of the Loire Valley for the first of our two Sauvignon Blancs in the Discovery Pack. The soil structure is now a blend of clay, limestone, and flint, offering wonderful minerality, however in a softer and rounder envelope. This Sauvignon Blanc has bright citrus and herb notes on the nose that lead to a super fresh palate of lemon, white peach, and exotic fruits. The gentle underpinning of minerals is there to remind you that you’re drinking Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire.
2018 Patrick Lambert Chinon Rosé, Cravant les Coteaux
Chinon is just to the east of Touraine in the Middle Loire. Here, Patrick Lambert tends 7 hectares of organically managed vineyards. His Rosé of Chinon is a great example of a Loire Valley wine that’s way off of the radar for most folks. In the glass, this wine is all about wild red berries and strawberry. It has plenty of body along with a ton of crispness that will allow it to develop and drink nicely well into next year.
Lieu-dit Beauregard Rouge, Bourgueil, Cave des Vignerons de Saumur
The Bourgueil commune is just north of Chinon in the Middle Loire and it’s one of the few appellations in France that only produces reds and rosé. Here, Cabernet Franc is king, and alluvial deposits of pebbles and flint help retain warmth, allowing the grapes to ripen earlier. Often confused with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc is lighter in body and with savory notes of dark red fruit. It’s a wine you can toss a slight chill on for those balmy summer evenings. Pair with anything from the grill. Hammond and I love it with lamb burgers.
2017 Sancerre, Jean-Max Roger
For our second Sauvignon Blanc, we move to the western end of the Loire and the village of Sancerre. Arguably the most famous names in Sauvignon Blanc, the village of Sancerre and neighboring Pouilly-Fumé form the western border of the region. The powerful wines of Sancerre reflect the regions mix of soil — silex, kimmeridgian marl and caillottes.
A note from the winemaker:
A blend of wines hailing from two types of terroirs – marls and stony calcareous “caillottes” – lends this wine all of its complexity. The finesse and fruit from the “caillottes” wines are complemented by the power and length of the marls. Exceptional citrus aromas and flavours along with appealing minerality. Refreshingly invigorating acidity. This wine needs a minimum of six months in the bottle in order to express all of its complexity.
Loving Loire
Summer Discovery 6-pack- Can't make it in? Call 828-253-0060 with your credit card number.
We'll hold your purchase in our temperature controlled cellar for pickup at your convenience
or we'll arrange for delivery. - Available only while supplies last