Le Thoureil early morning

We had a great day out with a group of sixteen classic car enthusiasts.

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.

French people are very secretive about mushrooms. They don’t let on where you can find them in case you go and pinch them yourselves.

Antoine Leduc told us yesterday that while his volumes were a little less than normal, he was very happy with the quality of the grapes that he brought in at the end of the season.

You walk into a winery and the sound of fermentation fills your ears as the barrels bubble away turning ripe grape juice into wine.

At the end of the day wine is something to be shared and enjoyed. A carafe of wine with no visible origin served on the terrace of our local café overlooking the Loire, a bottle of Crémant with friends before a relaxed dinner in the kitchen, a sample of the new vintage taken from tank with the winemaker, a cherished bottle from the cellar. It’s all about enjoyment, discussion, pleasure and sharing.