Le Tasting Room

A couple of vineyard shots from this week.  Taken at 8 in the morning, the vineyard was covered with a thick layer of white frost which glistened as the sun began to rise.

A little information on rosé wines from the Loire valley which I thought appropriate on this Valentine's  Day 2010.

There are three main appellations for rosé wine in the Loire valley.

Rosé de Loire

This appellation potentially covers the whole of Anjou and Touraine and produces around 60,000hl of wine from around 1,000 hectares of planting.  Grape varieties permitted are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Cot, Pineau d'Aunis and Grolleau.  Best drunk young, the wines are normally dry and have aromas of summer fruits.

Rosé d'Anjou

Covering the same area as Rosé de Loire, this appellation currently produces around 110,000hl from around 2,4000 hectares of planting.  The same 6 grape varities are permitted but in this appellation it's the Grolleau that dominates.  The main difference with Rosé d'Anjou is that it must have at least 7g/l of residual sugar (although generally less than 20g/l). Again aromas of red fruits dominate but the extra sugar makes the wines a little more mellow.  Generally drunk young but some have the capacity to age a little.

Cabernet d'Anjou

4000 hectares of planting within the Anjou appellation producing around 250,000hl of wine.  Grape varieties are restricted to just Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and the wines must have at least 10g/l of residual sugar (but sometimes much more than that).  These rosés are considered to be the best in terms of quality although personal taste is obviously an issue when it comes to the sweetness.  The best wines have lovely summer fruit notes on the nose, with a soft delicate palate that combines sweetness with a finishing touch of refreshing acidity that gives perfect balance. Most wines are drunk in their early years but some age well.

Other rosés can be found in the region as well such as Bourgueil (only 4% of production in the appellation), Chinon (around 8% of production), Coteaux du Loir (20% of production) and of course don't forget all the lovely rosé sparkling wines made by local producers such as Gratien & Meyer, Langlois Chateau and Bouvet Ladubay.

We have a few places left on the following Loire Wine Tours that are already taking place.  For other dates please contact  Cathy for further details.

Friday 12th March 2010 - Escape from Paris - one day Loire wine tour

4 places remaining.  We will be collecting from Angers St Laud at 09.30am and returning to the station in time for the 18.38 train in and out of Montparnasse.  Heading straight out to the vineyards in the morning, returning to le tasting room for lunch and then out again to a different wine-making region in the afternoon.  Price 85 Euros per person.

Tuesday 23rd March 2010 - Escape from Paris - one day Loire wine tour

4 places remaining.   Collecting from Angers at 09.30 returning for the 18.38.  Programme as above. 85 Euros per person.

Wednesday 28th April - Loire Wine Discovery - one day Loire wine tour

A two hour tutored tasting introducing the wines from the Loire valley, delicious buffet lunch in our old barrel maturation cellar and then an afternoon visiting wine producers and tasting their wines.

4 places remaining - 100 Euros per person.

For bookings or any further information contact Cathy

My first appointment at the Salon des Vins on Monday morning was with Carine Rezé of Vignoble de la Jarnoterie.  This 24 hectare estate is within the appellation of St Nicolas de Bourgueil , contained within the confines of Touraine and Anjou.  It's a family vineyard that was created in 1893 and is still under the same ownership 5 generations later.  Here they produce a rosé and three reds, all from the Cabernet Franc grape variety. Rosé accounts for only 1% of production in St Nicolas.

Rosé 2009 St Nicolas de Bourgueil

Fresh and fruity on the nose with aromas of summer fruits - a short maceration takes place to maximise fruit flavours.  On the palate, light, fresh, crisp, dry but not austere,  good acidity with the summer fruit flavours continuing to the finish.

Cuvee MR 2008 St Nicolas de Bourgueil

Cabernet Franc which has had 3 months in chestnut futs in tuffeau caves.  Soft aromas of woodland fruit & blackberry.  Light on the palate, little tannin, easy drinking, soft and smooth.  Not a big wine but a good lunchtime wine.

Concerto 2006 St Nicolas de Bourgueil

Made from old vignes with an average of 60-80 years and given 6 to 8 months in chestnut  futs. Grapes are hand picked and sorted.  Nice ripe fruit aromas on the nose, again an easy style with medium tannins that keep it light on the palate but with a little spice, pepper and black fruit.

Improvisation 2008 St Nicolas de Bourgueil

Vines of 40-60 years old and 6 months ageing in chestnuts futs with around 30% going into small oak barrels.

A lovely ripe black fruit nose which carries through on the palate.  A hint of vanilla reveals itself on the mid palate but remains subtle and integrated rather than dominant.  More complex then the previous two wines but still remains accessible and tannins although present are still soft rather than chewy and green.

To summarise I found the wines light in style but because of this I feel they are accessible and drinkable now.  For those who prefer a lighter style of wine and don't like strong, firm tannins, the wines from St Nicolas are excellent.  The Cuvée MR 2006 was selected by Sam Harrop MW as one of the Cabernet Franc wine ambassadors in 2008.  This is an ongoing initiative to find wines that represent a modern style of Cabernet Franc that suits the British palate.

www.mabileau-reze.com