{"id":6167,"date":"2023-01-19T13:45:19","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T13:45:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/2023\/01\/19\/the-wines-of-touraine-aperitif-style\/"},"modified":"2023-01-19T13:45:19","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T13:45:19","slug":"the-wines-of-touraine-aperitif-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/2023\/01\/19\/the-wines-of-touraine-aperitif-style\/","title":{"rendered":"Loire Wines: Touraine – Saumur-Champigny – Sparkling"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

(April 28, 2022) …<\/strong><\/em> Two thematic tastings under one roof with a look at Touraine and Saumur wines.<\/p>\n

Some quick facts about Touraine<\/em>
–    5000 hectares stretch out both sides of the Cher and Loire rivers
–    Encompasses 139 towns
–    500 winemakers
–    Making 28,000,000 bottles annually
–    59% white wines – 22% red wines – 8% rosé – 11% sparkling
–    Top white varieties: Sauvignon Blanc 43%, followed by Chenin (7%) and Chardonnay (3%)
–    Top red varieties: Gamay 21%, followed by Cabernet Franc (10%) and Cot (Malbec 8%)
–    Only 20% of the wine is exported; and while 80% remains in France – 50% are direct sales to the consumer
–    Top export markets are the UK (36%), USA (21%), Netherlands (16%), Belgium (7%) and Canada (5%)
–     Touraine has 5 geographical denominations:
      -Amboise \/ -Azay-le-Rideau \/ -Chenonceaux \/ -Mesland et -Oisly<\/p>\n

And now, here are the wines from both tastings …<\/strong>
(because of the quantity of wines on offer during this tasting I used my Good \/ Good+ approach for scoring, I also where available, list the varieties that make up the wine – and a few of the really good(+) ones  even got some notes)<\/p>\n

Maison Laudacius Jardin Des Rois Fb Rosé<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
40% Cabernet Franc, 5% Grolleau, 40% Gamay, 15% Pinot Noir<\/em><\/p>\n

Domaine Mérieau 2018 J’ose Les Fines Bulles – Blanc<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
60% Menu Pineau, 10% Chenin, 30% Chardonnay<\/em><\/p>\n

Domaine De La Renaudie 2021 Touraine Sauvignon – Blanc<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
100% Sauvignon<\/em>        <\/p>\n

Domaine Jacky Marteau 2021 Touraine Sauvignon – Blanc<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
100% Sauvignon<\/em>        <\/p>\n

Domaine Chainier 2021 Château De La Roche – Blanc<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
100% Sauvignon<\/em><\/p>\n

Domaine Des Echardières 2021 Touraine Sauvignon – Blanc<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
100% Sauvignon<\/em><\/p>\n

Domaine Pascal Gibault 2021 Touraine Sauvignon – Blanc<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
100% Sauvignon<\/em><\/p>\n

\"LeChâteau De Fontenay 2021 Le Sauvignon – Blanc<\/span>     
100% Sauvignon – Guava and grapefruit with a supple palate and long finish<\/em> … Good+<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vins Beaujardin 2021 Moulin Des Aigremonts – Blanc<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
100% Sauvignon<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Roussely\"Clos Roussely 2020 Le Clos – Blanc<\/span>
100% Sauvignon – Floral and yellow grapefruit cocktail<\/em> … Good+<\/strong><\/p>\n

Domaine Sauvète 2021 Méli Mélo – Rosé<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
50% Pineau D’aunis, 50% Cabernet Franc<\/em>        <\/p>\n

Domaine Sauvète 2020 Les Gravouilles – Rouge<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
100% Gamay<\/em><\/p>\n

Domaine De Fontenay 2019 La Réserve De Jean – Rouge<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
Cabernet Franc, Côt<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

White Saumur and Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame: Two Facets of Saumur Wines <\/strong> <\/p>\n

Domaine Des Garennes 2020 Empreinte – Blanc<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
Chenin 100%<\/em><\/p>\n

Domaine Du Moulin De L’horizon 2020 Mélodie – Blanc<\/span> … Good+ \"L'horizon\"<\/strong>
Chenin 100%<\/em><\/p>\n

Château De Targé 2019 Les Fresnettes – Blanc<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
Chenin 100%<\/em><\/p>\n

Domaine Arnaud Lambert 2018 Coulée De Saint Cyr – Blanc<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
Chenin 100%<\/em><\/p>\n

Domaine Arnaud Lambert 2018 Clos De La Rue – Blanc<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
Chenin 100%<\/em><\/p>\n

Domaine Du Vieux Pressoir 2019 Origine – Rouge \"Origine\"<\/span>
Cabernet Franc 100% – Structured and smoky, with earthy, black cherry, subtle woodsy notes, and mild flavour of coffee powder on the finish<\/em> … Good+<\/strong><\/p>\n

Domaine Saint Landor 2019 L’Obligé – Rouge<\/span>
Cabernet Franc 100% – Fruit forward with lots of red berries: strawberry, raspberry, and hints of mocha – silky mouthfeel with an elegant finish<\/em> … Good+ \"L'Oblige\"
<\/strong><\/p>\n

Domaine Du Moulin De L’horizon 2019 Virtuose – Rouge<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
Cabernet Franc 100%<\/em><\/p>\n

Mélaric 2018 Clos De La Cerisaie – Rouge<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
Cabernet Franc 100%<\/em><\/p>\n

Manoir De Tête Rouge 2018 Enchentoir – Rouge<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
Cabernet Franc 100%<\/em><\/p>\n

Domaine De L’enchantoir 2018 Pied À L’etrier – Rouge<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
Cabernet Franc 100%<\/em><\/p>\n

Domaine De L’enchantoir 2017 Clos Du Petit Chavannes – Rouge<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
Cabernet Franc 100%<\/em><\/p>\n

Immersion: Saumur-Champigny \"Saumur
<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another walking tour … this time it’s a partial walk along the VVR Route (Vignes Vins Randos) as we check out some of the vineyards around Saumur and taste a number of wines at stops along the way. We find a wine producer who has built their prodcution area right in the rocks; and here is where I also taste one of the best Cabernet Franc’s I taste throughout the whole trip – hint: it has something to do with wolves.<\/p>\n

Langlois-Chateau 2020 Domaine<\/span>
Fruit driven due to the stainless steel, along with subtle herbal characteristics<\/em>.  (*** ½)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Château De Chaintres 2020 Vieilles Vignes<\/span>
Gentle spice and black fruit; notes of vanilla, black cherry and black raspberry on the mid-palate – complex and tasty.<\/em>  (****)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Bressiere\"Domaine De La Bessiere 2018 XL<\/span>
Light, fresh, and easy drinking: big red fruit with a medium-light spiciness.<\/em>  (*** ½)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alliance Loire – Robert & Marcel 2019 Les Vignoles<\/span>
\"Vignoles\"Smooth and silky; blackberry and cassis, along with subtle pepper and round tannins which prove to be non-aggressive on the finish.<\/em>  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Domaine De La Perruche 2020 Terroir de Craie<\/span>
\"Perruche\"Steel tanks were used in the making of this wine – fresh dark fruit oriented, nice complexity.<\/em>  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Domaine De Rocheville 2019 Le Prince<\/span>
Herbal and red cherry; a nice expression.<\/em>  (*** ½)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Nerleux\"Domaine De Nerleux 2018 Les Loups Noirs<\/span>
Vines planted back in 1997, 70% of the wine spends 18 months in oak, 10% new, the other 30% remains in stainless steel and is then back-blended into the wine to create a fruitier character; the result is a wine of wonderful depth and character: dark berry fruit, nicely spiced with hints of vanilla. The dark fruit comes across as cassis and blackberry – this wine just sings in the mouth.<\/em>  (**** ½)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gatien Deze 2020 Les 2 Vents<\/span>
Light and airy with gentle herbaceousness, done all in stainless – pretty floral notes on both the nose and palate.<\/em>  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Château De Targé 2020 Le Clos Saint Pere<\/span>
Light and fresh – with a chill this would give rosé a run for its money: cherry and decent acidity; chill and enjoy.<\/em>  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Domaine Ratron – Clos Des Cordeliers 2018 Cuvee Prestige<\/span>
Mineral, blackberry and black cherry, pleasant across the palate.<\/em>  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Château De Villeneuve 2020 Domaine<\/span>
Light with red berry freshness, plus it had some black cherry and black raspberry backing it up on the finish.<\/em>  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

La Seigneurie 2018 Vielles Vignes a Pierrot<\/span>
Vines were planted in 1963 at 110m ASL, highest level in the region, and less than 1 km from Castle Saumur: plenty of cassis and blackberry.<\/em>  (*** ½+)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sparkling Wine Evening<\/strong>
                                    
A walk around tasting of sparkling wine; dinner was al fresco in the backyard of the winery \/ event space; and ended with a fireworks display: bubbles, “BBQ” and big bangs – what more could you ask for.<\/em><\/p>\n

Here I used my Good \/ Good+ system to rate the wines; and in some instances the make up of the cuvee was provided (so I included that as well):<\/em><\/p>\n

Orchidees Ackerman (Brut)<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
Orchidees Royal 2017 (Brut)<\/span> … Good+ \"Royal\"<\/strong>
Loire Propriete Dunmacus Vignerons (Brut Rose)<\/span> … Good<\/strong>    
Loire Propriete Dunmacus Vignerons (Brut)<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
Grenelle 2013 3\/7.7.4 (Brut Nature)<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
cuvee: Pinot Noir, Pineau D’aunis, Cabernet Franc<\/em>
Alliance Loire De Chanceny Rose (Brut)<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
cuvee: Cabernet Franc<\/em>
Alliance Loire 2015 De Chanceny Impetus (Brut)<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
cuvee: Chenin, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc
\"Chanceny\" Alliance Loire 2015 De Chanceny (Brut Nature)<\/span> … Good
cuvee: Chenin, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc<\/em>
Langlois Langlois Blanc (Brut)<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
cuvee: Chenin, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc<\/em>
Langlois Langlois Rose (Brut)<\/span> … Good+ \"Langlois\"<\/strong>
cuvee: Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir<\/em>
Langlois 2016 Quadrille (Extra Brut)<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
cuvee: Chenin, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc<\/em>
Bouvet Ladubay 2018 Tresor (Brut)<\/span> … Good+<\/strong>
cuvee: Chenin, Chardonnay<\/em>
Bouvet Ladubay Excellence Rose (Brut)<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
cuvee: Cabernet Franc<\/em>
Lacheteau Lacheteau Tete De Cuvee (Brut)<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
cuvee: Cabernet Franc<\/em>
Lacheteau Château De Montgueret<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
cuvee: Chenin, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay<\/em>
Lacheteau Château De Chanteloup<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
cuvee: Chenin, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay<\/em>
Lacheteau Château De Chanteloup Rosé<\/span> … Good<\/strong>
cuvee: Cabernet Franc<\/em>
Gratien Meyer Flamme Rosé<\/span> … Good <\/strong>   
Gratien Meyer Diadème Rosé<\/span> … Good<\/strong><\/p>\n

 \"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(April 28, 2022) … Two thematic tastings under one roof with a look at Touraine and Saumur wines. Some quick facts about Touraine–    5000 hectares stretch out both sides of the Cher and Loire rivers–    Encompasses 139 towns–    500 winemakers–    Making 28,000,000 bottles annually–    59% white wines – 22% red wines – 8% rosé – […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-on-the-road-with-the-grape-guy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6167\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}