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Ageing a wine in a concrete egg allows gentle micro-oxygenation (like when using oak barrels), without the addition of any complicating aromas and flavours that come about with wood contact. So, arguably the resulting wine is a more pure expression.

Carbon bisulphide (an alternative form of carbon disulphide) was already recognised as an effective insecticide when phylloxera first hit France. A difficult treatment, it vapourised at room temperature so required ‘injecting’ deep into the ground.

Do you know what this syringe was used for? I’ll give you a clue. It’s hanging on the wall of a well known Saumur Champigny producer and has a wine connection.
Any ideas?

This is one of my favourite photos of the river Loire taken at St Mathurin just 5km from our home in Anjou. I was standing on the opposite bank of the river by the bridge at St Mathurin and the light was wonderful so I took a few shots on the mobile. The blue of the sky and the reflection of the buildings on the water gives it an almost Italian feel.

Wine tasting in the Loire is unique and tasting rooms range from very rustic to chic and modern.

Did you know that the Loire valley is the second most important place for the production of sparkling wine outside of Champagne? Here we call it Crémant or Mousseaux and it’s made in exactly the same way using different grape varieties and coming from different vineyards.

Here are a few tips if you’re planning a day trip from Paris by train this year. Think ahead – tickets for the TGV are released 3 months in advance and this is when you will get the best prices. If you book early you can save as much as 50% on the cost of your ticket.

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.

How important is cutlery to the dining experience? Well, pretty important if you ask me. Decent cutlery really adds something and yesterday we discovered Le 9.47 at Chez Remi in Angers.

Probably not the first time I’ve mentioned this easy salmon starter but did it again last week.

Aroma plays a fundamental role in the pleasure that we take when drinking a nice glass of wine. So how would you feel about losing your sense of smell?

Took the opportunity last night to open a few interesting bottles with good friends who came over for dinner. Here’s what we enjoyed: