April Wine Sampler - 6 Loire Valley Wines -

$88.49 down from $108.94

The Loire river in France begins in the Massif Central of France closer to the Rhone Valley than its most eastern wine region of Muscadet. After it heads north from the Massif Central and then hangs a left, westward, towards the Atlantic it boasts some of the most underappreciated wines, but longest lived whites in France. And the reds aren’t too shabby either!

The wines from Loire hold a special place in my heart which I owe to my first “ah-ha” wine being Domaine Baumard’s 1997 Clos St. Yves drank in 2010; 13 year old dry chenin blanc is a thing of beauty. These wines satisfy both a gustatory, and a cerebral, pleasure for many wine enthusiasts.

For this 6 bottle sampler we have four whites and two reds - and remember, don’t drink these wines freezing cold!

1. Francois Cazin 2009 Cour-Cheverny

Cour Cheverny is an appellation reserved for use with the white grape romorantin. Romorantin is, to the best of my knowledge, only used in this small grape growing region in France, and is one of those few whites that benefit from a bit of decanting when possible.

2. Domaine des Brosses 2011 Sancerre

Sancerre is THE classic region for sauvignon blanc, and when tasting notes speak of minerality, this region is one of the classic examples. I may have noticed an increase in Sancerre requests thanks to 50 Shades of Grey... whatever turns people on to Sancerre I guess.

3. Maison Darragon 2011 Vouvray

Vouvray is the most famous chenin blanc using region, and the grape can be vinified in an austerely dry to dessert wine sweet range. This wine is a dry-leaning incarnation which represents the region and style quite magnificently.

4. Chateau de la Bourdiniere 2010 

Muscadet Sevre et Maine - sur lie

Muscadet (not to be confused with muscat or moscato) is the famous white from the Atlantic coast that is classically paired with oysters. Though I would be happy to pair it with more Muscadet.

5. Couly-Dutheil 2011 “Les Gravieres” Chinon

Both of the reds in this sampler are made from cabernet franc which is one of the parent grapes to cabernet sauvignon. It is the places that are different in these wines. This cab franc from Chinon is a lighter, fresher style of cabernet franc.

6. Domaine des Roches Neuves 2010 Saumur Champigny

Saumur Champigny is located down river and from Chinon, and this example is done in a fuller bodied style than the Couly-Dutheil. These two certainly make for a fun comparison.