Blog

Small businesses such as ours are suffering in the wake of the Coronavirus but at least we’re not on total lock down like they are in Italy.

I mentioned that growers have been leaving pruning late to avoid the risk of frost and that some are pruning in 2 passes.

To be honest, my experience of wines that come from historic monuments is mediocre. It’s perfectly understandable, the château is the main business.

Last year I was invited to pick Chardonnay grapes with a lovely bunch of ladies. It was the initiative of Louisa Plou, wife of winemaker Fred Plou.

Pruning continues as growers set up their vineyards for the coming season and fingers are firmy crossed as the daffs are already showing their blooms.

Peter and Julette Hahn’s tiny estate in the heart of the Vouvray appellation in the winemaking village of Vernou sur Brenne is rather special.

It’s ages since I made a home made Croque Monsieur and it was so tasty and so easy that I had to share this super simple recipe with you.

This delicious hazlenut dessert can be prepared well in advance. It goes in the freezer and then you can just cut a slice as and when you need it.

A deliciously moist cake that makes a great partner to a cup of coffee in the morning or served as a dessert with a little creme fraiche.

We miss our winemaker friends in Anjou so it was a pleasure to catch up with Antoine and Nathalie Leduc of Leduc Frouin at the Salon yesterday.

This is an easy peasy recipe that is great fun to serve at the table. A succulent piece of cod on a bed of semi dried tomatoes with fresh basil and thyme.

Walking around the Vouvray vineyards these past few weeks I would have expected to see a hive of activity with growers out in the cold pruning.