Les Anges Vins

Yes, it’s that time of year! As we approach Christmas, traditionally domaines open their doors and welcome private customers to taste & buy.

Signs of budburst have been seen in the Muscadet region and in Saumur Champigny but there was little sign of it in St Nicolas de Bourgueil yesterday (the 9th). Meanwhile, growers are replacing dead or diseased vines with new ones and putting in stakes to support replacement vines that are now 2 years old.

When we talk all things Muscadet and the region close to the sea at Nantes, there’s only one grape variety that springs to mind.

For a really easy dinner try this really simple marinade. It works well on chicken thighs or breasts and is healthy and quick to prepare.

So what is a visite gourmande you might ask? Well, a visit with lovely nibbly bits to accompany the liqueurs and wonderful products that our local Saumur distillery produces.

Growers have been under time pressure to tie down the vines that were left upright in many appellations in an attempt to avoid frost. Normally this is done by mid April but no chances were taken this year.