At last summer seems to be making an entrance and last night we were lucky enough to spend a lovely evening with friends who live right in the heart of the Coteaux du Layon. Sitting outside in their garden overlooking the vineyards was the perfect time to share a chilled glass of Chenin Blanc.
Bâttonage is the French word for stirring the ‘lees’
The grapes are starting to form and after two weeks of almost daily rain, the weather has settled and things are looking brighter.
One of the highlights of the salon in Angers was meeting up with Ina Smith who works for the Chenin Blanc Association in South Africa.
Lovely elegant aromas of lime and white flowers are followed by a rather exotic note of saffron and stone fruit which is just beguiling. Rich and round on the palate, not too fat or heavy, nice acidity and balance. Really, really good.
A couple of pics taken first thing this morning in the garden where we have 6 Cabernet Franc and 6 Chenin Blanc vines.
Harvest is in full swing here in the Loire and for the first time in three years we are seeing broad smiles on the faces of our partner growers as they bring in decent volumes of lovely looking grapes.
