The Expert Series: Introduction to the Loire Valley – Red
Hosted by Demetri Walters MW
The Loire River is France’s longest, beginning in the country’s heated south then rising north before abruptly coursing west and making its way to the Atlantic. It is on this last stretch where you will find – on both banks – some of France’s most honoured wine regions yet, conversely, some of its most underrated reds.
The effortlessly food-friendly Cabernet Franc is the main player here and understandably takes centre stage as Demetri Walters MW concludes his Loire Valley profile. However, as Walters digs into the region’s winemaking heritage and highlights some of today’s leading practitioners, he also reveals more about the lesser-spotted Sancerre rouge, and opens a wine made from Grolleau, historically a high-yielding, workhorse grape, which has been transformed into anything but by one of our featured producers.
Domaine Claude Riffault, La Noue, Sancerre Rouge 2018
Catherine & Pierre Breton, Grolleau 2017
Yannick Amirault, La Source, St. Nicolas de Bourgueil 2019
Fabrice Gasnier, Vieilles Vignes, Chinon 2018
Jacky Blot, Domaine de la Butte, Le Pied de la Butte, Bourgueil 2018
Clos Rougeard, Saumur-Champigny 2008
Please note that the Fabrice Gasnier, Vieilles Vignes, Chinon 2019 is replacing the Fabrice Gasnier, Vieilles Vignes, Chinon 2018 tasted during the episode.