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There are a number of vineyard practices that are routinely done in the Springtime and in recent years we have seen more and more growers working their soil mechanically instead of using chemicals. So what exactly is décavaillonnage?

If you like to run and are in the Loire this September, the Foulées du Saumur Champigny is a lovely event amongst the vines. Runs of 9km, 17km and a troglo trail of 29km as well as 2 Nordic walking trails and much more.

Happy May Day!
Temperatures dropped to just around freezing last night in the Vouvray and Muscadet regions  so growers were out lighting fires in the vineyard to try and avoid the potential risk of frost. The weather forecast is pretty encouraging but temperatures were due to have a dip last night.

Dating back to around 500 AC farmers prayed to the ice saints (les Saints de Glace) to protect their crops from damage. As we approach May, growers are holding their breath and hoping that we’ll not have an episode of late frost this year.

In the production of wine we talk about 2 separate fermentations. The first fermentation (with which I’m sure you are all familiar), is alcoholic fermentation.

Live Jazz and restauration sur place at the lovely Chateau de Soucherie. Jazzy Soucherie is a lovely annual event at this organic estate with amazing views over the Layon valley. Perfect for a summer’s evening.

We’ve been working with Mathieu Vallée of Chateau Yvonne for the past 8 years and love his wines. A former engineer, Mathieu took over Chateau Yvonne in 2007. He has 28 small parcels dotted around the Saumur Champigny appellation (3ha of Chenin and 8ha of Cabernet Franc).

Possibly my favourite vegetable of all time. Asparagus has a short season and when it comes in it will be on our table frequently. Healthy, easy to cook, versatile and delicious. Here are a few of my favourite ideas for cooking with asparagus.

The St Nicolas appellation spreads over a former river terrace extending down to the Loire and the foot of the hillside to which it is attached. South facing and largely open, it is protected by the large forest to the north.

Two products routinely used in vineyards, one in conventional viticulture and the other in organic viticulture (and conventional too).

Amboise is about half an hour from Tours (TGV station, airport) and is a lovely small town perched on the river Loire. A good place to base yourself for a short break if you’re looking for a smaller, quaint place.

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.