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.
A beautiful bunch of Chenin Blanc still hanging on the vine at Chateau de Fesles in the heart of the Bonnezeaux appellation taken on Saturday.
2016 turned out to be a very tricky year for them with miniscule yeilds of around 6hl/ha.
A few photos taken on Sunday in the Coteaux du Layon. The topography is different in the Layon to elsewhere in the Loire valley . Rolling hillsides and vines planted on slopes are the norm and the scenery is just beautiful.
Pickers picking, grapes arriving, press pressing, juice settling, Isabelle cooking, Joseph washing barrels, Jo surveying and Wendy welcoming – it was all hands on deck yesterday at Pithon-Paille. After 2 years with tiny yields (7 and 11hl/ha), there are plenty of smiles in the winery this year as volumes are up to around 25hl/ha (still low but much more encouraging) and grapes are coming in looking ripe and healthy.
Antoine carefully removed the cork and checked the wine. It was perfect – a beautiful golden colour but still crystal clear gleaming in the glass.
Les Rogeries 2009 – delicious Chenin Blanc from Domaine Richou in Anjou.
