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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.

Marie Harel (born Marie Catherine Fontaine in 1761) is credited with the invention of Camembert in 1791. Legend has is that she created the famous recipe while working as a cheesemaker at the Manor of Beaumoncel with the help of local priest Abbott Charles-Jean Bonvoust.

A scrumptious end to a wonderful Sunday lunch in the garden with local friends here in the Loire yesterday. Layers of freshly cut new season’s strawberries, crushed meringue, marscapone, rosewater, pomegranate seeds and a lovely quenelle of fresh strawberry sorbet all dusted with rose petals.

Ampelidae, the domaine owned by Frederic Brochet in the Haut Poitou will open its door to the public on May 1st between 10h00 and 18h00 at Chateau de Lavoguyot. There will be a walk in the vineyards at 10h00 followed by a vertical tasting of Sauvignon Blanc with Frederic at 11h00

It’s been pretty hot here for the past two days so we fancied something light for dinner.

For me, this is the best chocolate mousse recipe. Incredibly simple and very chocolatey, it’s not too terrible on the calories (around 170 per mousse) is low in carbs and has no cream or butter in it, just 3 ingredients.

A few pictures taken yesterday in the Saumur Champigny appellation. As you can see there is a little more development and the tiny leaves are beginning to unfurl. We have had glorious sunny weather for the past two days and it’s set to continue over the weekend with temperatures reaching 28°C (82°F). 

Originally from Oregon in the US, Brendan Stater-West has had one of the best mentors in the region in Romain Guiberteau.

Many of you will have tasted Peter Hahn’s lovely Vouvrays while you have been with us at le tasting room. I’m happy to say that he has launched an on-line facility and his wines are now available on-line in Europe and France for delivery. 

We had a lovely lunch with great friend Maryse Tugendhat at the weekend. Many of you will remember her, the energetic and enigmatic lady winemaker of Chateau de Pimpéan in Grezillé. (Members only article).

Made in the region around Loches, the pretty town in the Touraine region of the Loire valley, La Couronne Lochoise is a raw whole milk goat’s cheese in the form of a crown (couronne).

A couple of pics taken first thing this morning in the garden where we have 6 Cabernet Franc and 6 Chenin Blanc vines.