This week on Tony Mart Presents, Mike and I talked with Carmen about our wine exploration of France, specifically the Loire Valley and Champagne regions.
The bespoke tour company, Into The Vineyard, arranged tours of six boutique wine estates where we were able to meet the owners, tour the vineyards and caves, and taste a variety of white, red, and sparkling wines. One thing that the winemakers had in common was the passion for making wine that expresses their unique sense of place. There are two major factors contributing to this uniqueness; the terroir in which the grapes are grown, and the effect of indigenous yeasts found in caves on the fermentation process.
Loire Valley Wines
The Loire wine region stretches 600 miles along the Loire River from the city of Nantes near the Atlantic coast, inland to north central France. Its wine varieties are as diverse as its micro-climates. Unlike Bordeaux which has strict AOC regulations regarding the grape varieties that can be used, winemakers in Loire have more freedom to create a broad diversity of types and styles such as red, white, and sparkling, known as Crémant.
The region is divided into Eastern, Middle, and Western.
We went to the middle of the region, staying in the town of Amboise. The town is built around the Chateau d’Amboise which began as a medieval stronghold on the Loire River and was expanded and improved by French royalty. The wine appellations include Vouvray, known for its wines made from Chenin Blanc, and Chinon and Bourgueil known for wines made from Cabernet Franc.
Here are some recommendations from Circle Liquor Store from the appellations we visited in the price range of $15 to $25.
- Domaine de Vaufuget Vouvray – Slightly off-dry with notes of green apple, quince, honey, floral. Pairs with seafood and poultry.
- Barton & Guistier Vouvray – This large company is one of the oldest and most prestigious wine negociants in France. They work with over 200 wineries to purchase grapes and wine and create their own branded wine.
- Domaine Fabrice Gasnier Chinon Les Graves – Made from Cabernet Franc. Fruit forward with plum, herbal, and black tea flavors.
- Domaine Fabrice Gasnier Chinon Vielles Vignes (old vines) – Fifty-year-old Cabernet Franc vines grown on a gravelly hillside create wine with ripe red fruits, mouthwatering acidity, and stony minerality. Good to drink now or hold for aging. Tasting notes: Earthy and herbal aromas, very dry with plum, black currant, and black gooseberries on the palate, medium to full body, smooth tannins. Medium length finish with spicy black pepper and mineral notes.
Eastern is known for Sancerre and Pouilly Fume (made from Sauvignon Blanc). Priced in the $20s.
- Paul Et Jean Vielles Vignes Sancerre.
- Francis Blachet – Pouilly Fume.
The Western area of the region, near the Atlantic Ocean, is known for Muscadet. Muscadet is a white grape that is used to make dry, light-bodied wine with crisp acidity and flavors of green apple, lemon, and a subtle brininess. Sometimes it is aged on the lees for a richer texture. Excellent pairing for seafood.
- Frutiere Muscadet priced under $15.
Closest to Paris is the Champagne region, known for its sparkling wine. Only wines from the region should be called “champagne”. The grapes used in making champagne are Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. While Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are red/black grapes, the winemaking process uses limited skin contact to make white or rose champagne.
We visited the village of Hautvillers, a UNESCO world heritage site honoring the birthplace of champagne and the monk, Dom Perignon, who, in the 17th century, developed the methode champenoise, now the traditional method for making champagne. The quaint town features picturesque vineyards, cobblestone streets, numerous tasting rooms, and the Abbaye Saint-Pierre. Dom Perignon’s tomb is located in the church of the former benedictine abbey, which is now owned by Moet & Chandon.
Here are some recommendations for champagne available at Circle Liquor Store:
Super high end (over $200):
- Dom Perignon
- Roderer Cristal
Moderate ($60 – $100):
- Laurent Perrier Brut NV and Cuvee Rose Brut NV
- Veuve Clicquot (yellow label)
- Moet & Chandon
- Tattinger
- Bollinger
If you are looking for more budget-friendly sparkling wines try Prosecco from Italy, Cava from Spain, or a California sparkler such as Roederer Estate.
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