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      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
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    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
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    • Anderra Carménere
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  • Events
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The Luminous Wines of France’s Loire Valley  

The Loire Valley is renowned for delicious, mouth-watering wines, with refreshing acidity, moderate alcohol, persistent fruit flavors not cloaked in oak, a mineral vein, and a long finish, all at lower prices.  Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Muscadet, and Cabernet Franc are the star grape varietals, taking on distinct personalities from the different soils and climates that wind along both sides of the Loire River.  It’s a varied and complex region, from the Atlantic Ocean to north central France, with many of the wines a perfect partner for seafood.

Exhilarating sparkling wines, racy whites, refreshing rosés, fragrant reds, and opulent sweet wines, produced by over 4000 wineries, make up the wine bouquet from this “Garden of France”.  The Loire Valley is made up of five distinct wine regions, each home to specific grape varietals that take on distinct personalities from the different village terroirs.  It’s a cornucopia of delights, fascinating wines that taste of the sea and the soil.  

Following the Loire River on its east-west journey from northeast France to the Atlantic Ocean, the Upper Loire Valley is home to wines of the Central Loire, famous for its Sauvignon Blanc, finding its greatest expression in the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume AOPs.  Although a few red wines are made here, it’s really all about the world-class whites, zesty, full of citrus and chalky minerality.

The Middle Loire consists of three distinct areas, and produces the most diverse number of wines.
  • Touraine makes world-renowned Chenin Blanc in all its incarnations (think of Vouvray), savory and spicy Cabernet Franc from         Chinon and Bourgueil, and structured dry rosé wines. 
  • Saumur is sparkling wine central, with almost ten grape varietals used to make a variety of wines that reflect the limestone soils of the area.  Spicy Cabernet Franc, dry and late harvest Chenin Blanc, and rosé wines are also found here.     
  • Anjou is all about Rosé, in fact rosé wines of Cabernet Franc and Grolleau account for almost half of this region’s production.  But within the Anjou region, the Savennières AOP makes some of the most fascinating Chenin Blanc in the world, floral, mineral, and nutty, while the Côteaux du Layon AOP is renowned for its honeyed Chenin Blanc wines.  Sparkling wines come from Anjou, also, blending the many grapes that grow here.   

The Lower Loire is defined by one region, the Pays Nantais.  At the juncture of three rivers that flow into the Atlantic Ocean, it’s all about lean white wines, citrusy, mineral and saline, made from Muscadet.  These inexpensive brisk wines are perfect with fresh oysters. 

Loire Valley Wines came to LA this Spring, conducting a “Spring to Loire” tasting for the media and trade.  In addition to the many distributors and producers pouring their wines, the two anchor grapes of the Loire, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, were explored in depth by Sommelier/Wine Educator Chris Lavin in two seminars.  “Chenin Blanc: Sparkling to Sweet” looked at four wines that illustrated the many styles of this chameleon grape, a sparkling Vouvray, a dry Savennières, a demi-sec Vouvray, and a sweet Côteaux du Layon.  “Cabernet Franc: The King of Reds” tasted through four wines, a funky rustic Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil, a complex aromatic Saumur, a richer and structured Chinon, and an aged, earthy Chinon.

A closer look at these two varietals reveals the beauty of wines from the Loire Valley:    

Chenin Blanc is a shape shifter in the world of wine, expressing itself in an array of white wines, from bone dry to medium sweet, crisp sparkling bubbles to luscious nectar.  Vouvray Chenins are traditionally medium-sweet; Savennières Chenins are typically bright and crisp; Côteaux du Layon Chenins are among the world's most prized sweet wines, and the sparkling Chenins of Saumur are perfumed and delicious. Chenin's ability to age, because of the grape's naturally high acidity, allows it to assume the style of the winemakers' desire.  Chenin Blanc pairs well with a wide range of foods, since it comes in so many different styles. The crisp and mineral wines go well with grilled seafood, salads, or chicken; the medium-dry styles are excellent with cream sauces and rich dishes like pate, while the sweeter wines offset the spicy heat of Asian and Hispanic dishes, and delight with apple or pear desserts. 

Cabernet Franc is savory and herbaceous, and while used in Bordeaux blends, it makes a fabulous single varietal wine in the Loire, where it is also known as “Breton”.  Cabernet Franc’s alluring perfume reveals a spicy acidity and moderate tannins.  These medium-bodied, fragrant, red-fruited wines, with floral and vegetal notes, can be complex or easy-drinking.  Bourgueil Cab Francs are more fruity and floral, while Chinon Cab Francs have a deep, spicy, dark fruit character.  Cabernet Franc pairs well with roasted meats, poultry, tomato-based dishes, cheese, herbs, and vegetables.

Some of my highlights of the tasting:

Domaine Vincent Carême “Le Clos” 2010 ($32) - organic, biodynamic single vineyard Chenin Blanc from 60 year old vines, superb, made Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2015

Clos du Gaimont Vouvray 2014 ($16.99) - textured Chenin Blanc, aged 3 months in Cognac barrels

Domaine Paul Buisse Touraine 2015 ($12.99) - incredible Sauvignon Blanc for the price

Les Clissages d’Or Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2013 ($15.99) - textured wine

Domaine Grosbois “La Cuisine de ma Mère” 2014 ($16.99) - vibrant and fruity Cabernet Franc

Chateau de Brézé Clos Mazurique 2012 ($18.99) - fragrant Cabernet Franc, dark fruit, pencil lead, tobacco leaf, leather, violet, herbal, mineral, forest floor, a lot going on for under $20 

Chateau Tour Grise 
  • 2004 Sparkling Chenin Blanc ($24) - 100% Chenin, aged for 10 years on its lees, excellent  
  •  “Chenin Noir” 2014 ($20) - very interesting, earthy, peppery notes, crisp, different
Bouvet-Ladubay 
  •  “Signature” NV ($15.99) - sparkling Chenin Blanc, round, delicious, yeasty notes    
  • “Excellence” Brut Rosé NV ($16.99) - sparkling Cabernet Franc
Chateau Langlois     
  • Crémant de Loire NV ($25) - sparkling Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, great nose, with a touch of sweetness
  • Sancerre 2014 ($27) - Sauvignon Blanc, great nose, high acidity
Domaine des Baumard 
  • Savennières 2013 (2013) - Chenin Blanc
  • “Clos du Papillon” 2010 ($45) - single vineyard Chenin Blanc, great nose, beautiful body, high acidity, and long finish, 2009 tasted in seminar, excellent with a smoky minerality, rich and round
  • “Le Logis” 2014 ($19) - Cabernet Franc
  • Quarts de Chaume - stunning sweet Chenin Blanc wine that can live for decades

Seek out wines from the Loire Valley, truly a garden of delights, fabulous wines at incredible values!