Friday Fact: Different Kinds of Sparkle
Some Loire Valley sparkling wines are labeled pétillant. This indicates that a wine is lightly effervescent rather than aggressively sparkling. Several winemakers in the Vouvray appellation employ this term.
Category: Saumur
Ever heard of…Grolleau?
Most of us are familiar with the names of commonly grown wine grapes, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but there are thousands of lesser-known grape varieties out there that can also provide the foundation for great wine. Melon de Bourgogne, the grape we spoke about earlier this week that makes Muscadet, is...
Winemaker Wednesday: Domaine de l’Ecu
Today, we speak with Frédéric Niger Van Herck, who works with Guy Bossard, a fifth generation winemaker, at Domaine de l’Ecu. Here, they craft Muscadet with expressive minerality using organic and biodynamic farming practices.
Winemaker Wednesday: Château de Villeneuve
Today, we speak with Jean-Pierre Chevallier, a fourth generation winemaker, at Château de Villeneuve in Saumur.
Tell...
Not just great wine: an overview of the Loire châteaux
If the diversity of high quality wines isn’t enough of a draw to the region, the Loire Valley is also home to a number of historic châteaux, or castles – more than 300 in total. Nearly every town in the Loire Valley boasts its own châteaux.
