Friday Fact: Waiter, there are rocks in my glass!

In describing the white wines of the Loire, you’ve often heard us use terms like “flinty”, “chalky” and “minerality.” Have you been scratching your head, wondering what exactly we mean by that?

Wine experts have long agreed that minerals in vineyard soils show up in the glass. This is certainly true in the Loire, where wines are often described as having aromas of flint, chalk, and graphite.

Winemaker Wednesday: Domaine Henri Bourgeois

Eleven centuries ago, Henri Bourgeois had the foresight to transition his family from traditional agriculture to viticulture. It was a leap of faith at the time that has paid off for the generations of the Bourgeois family since. Today, we speak with Emilie Avignon, Manager of Communication for Domaine Henri Bourgeois.

Tell us about your property (how long it has been in your family, how long you have been making...

Winemaker Wednesday: Francis Blanchet

Today, we speak with Francis Blanchet, winemaker of Domaine Francis Blanchet in Pouilly Fumé.

Tell us about your property (how long it has been in your family, how long you have been making wine there, the size, any growing philosophy you might have):

The son of a winemaker, I have continued my family’s tradition of winemaking since the 17th century. After having obtained a degree as an agricultural technician from wine school in Beaune in 1980,...