> Wine Cellars TOUR de FRANCE Part II
It was particularly a miracle year for the Loire Valley. First, because the exceptional weather conditions provided an opportunity for talented winegrowers to control the 2003 “extremes”, and second, for Wine Cellars to highlight the producers that we’ve discovered. We are proud to offer Domaine Cedrick BARDINSancerre, Domaine la HAUTE FEVRIE Muscadet de Sevre et Maines, Domaine de la GUILLOTERIE Saumur Champigny, Domaine des LAURIERS Vouvray and many others are soon to follow such as the fabulous Bourgeuil from Frederic MABILLEAU.

“The wines of the Loire Valley are friendly and easy to quaff. They come alive with food and are seriously undervalued.” Robert Whitley.

Thanks to the refreshing winds from the nearby Atlantic Ocean, Muscadet and Chardonnay are fresh, bright and friendly. The Sauvignon de Touraine shows an attractive bouquet and roundness. Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume will be rich and elegant with a nice finesse. Sweet wines such as Vouvray or Coteaux du Layon will be amazing and will certainly belong to the best vintages of the coming century.

ALL the Loire Valley 2003 red wines will be splendid. The sun, high natural degrees of sugar and low yields provided phenomenal concentration and deep colors. The Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, usually fighting to reach their maturity, are showing their magnificent potential and aromatic expression. In the Saumur, Bourgueil, Anjou and Chinon areas, wines are black, ample and velvety, with incredible notes of fresh black fruits, licorice and even cherries! Some wines were even reminiscent of the aromas and richness of Languedoc red wines. Unbelievable!!!

Wow… we can’t wait to offer you these new great wines and your patience will be rewarded!

Now let’s make a jump south to the Languedoc…….. to be continued next week.


Additional information to know more about the Loire Valley :
Spreading around the Loire River, from the Sancerre to the Atlantic Ocean, the Loire Valley is the third largest AOC wine region in France. This area is predominantly offering white wines from Chenin Blanc (Vouvray, Coteaux du Layon), Melon (Muscadet) and Sauvignon Blanc (Pouilly-Fume, Sancerre, Touraine). Fabulous friendly reds such as Bourgueil or Saumur-Champigny are made with Cabernet Franc.


(to view previous parts of our “Tour de France” click on "More News Flashes" below.)