Winemaker Wednesday: Château de Villeneuve

Today, we speak with Jean-Pierre Chevallier, a fourth generation winemaker, at Château de Villeneuve in Saumur.

Tell...

Winemaker Wednesday: Jerome Billard

This week we speak with Jerome Billard, who together with his wife Elodie runs Domaine de la Noblaie, one of the oldest family estates in Chinon.

Tell us about...

A closer look: Savennières

It may be a small appellation, but Savennières crafts some remarkably powerful wines. Like its more well-known neighbor, Vouvray, the wines of Savennières in western Anjou are a product of the Chenin Blanc grape.

Hand harvesting is essential here, as the stony slopes of the region are far...

The Various Roles of Chenin Blanc

Grapes can be like actors.  You know how some actors have such strong personalities that you can never fully believe the character they’re playing on TV?  Chris Rock, for example.  It doesn’t matter if he’s playing Mays Gilliam in Head of State or Joey in Beverly Hills Ninja.  You’re watching a slightly presidential Chris Rock or a Chris Rock showing off some ninja moves , but always Chris Rock.  If Chris Rock were a grape, he would be Cabernet Sauvignon – popping up in different places, with slightly different characteristics, but still with a unmistakable personality.

Then there are actors like

Winemaker Wednesday: Marc Vincent

Today we speak with Marc Vincent of Domaine de la Paleine, who produces biodynamic wines in Le Puy Notre Dame, a commune in Saumur.