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Record breaking temperatures in the Loire 18th June 2022
We were warned. It was going to be HOT yesterday. And, it was. 41°C to be precise. The hottest day recorded in June since records began.
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Life in the Loire – tasting a one hundred year old wine
After a busy day helping out at Vincent Carême’s open day on Saturday, a group of us stayed on for dinner in the troglodyte tasting room.
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Little gems in the Vin de France category
The Vin de France category of wine production in France is the least regulated. Most wines in this category are every day wines, simple wines.
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For the love of Vermouth
We both love Vermouth. It’s bitterness backed up by notes of herbs, spices, flowers and fruits. Perfect on ice on its own as an apero.
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Vintage or non-vintage fizz. Which is better?
I first learnt about sparkling wine in the 1980’s. Vintage fizz was from a single year and non-vintage was from several years.
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Wine education – all about Gamay
It seems pertinent (as we countdown to Beaujolais Nouveau) to talk a bit about Gamay. It’s famous in Beaujolais but also grown in the Loire.
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Wine education – pruning after hail damage
A short localised hail storm can wipe out a year’s harvest in 15 minutes. As the hailstones batter the vines, the foliage is stripped off.
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Recipes from Le Tasting Room’s kitchen – silken tofu and chocolate mousse
Who doesn’t love a rich, smooth chocolate mousse? This vegan recipe really hits the spot with everyone and it’s incredibly simple to make.
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Wine education – what’s a barboteur?
You walk into a winery and the sound of fermentation fills your ears as the barrels bubble away turning ripe grape juice into wine.
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Wine education – biodynamic preparation 501 (horn silica)
Yesterday we went to see Arnaud Herivault of Domaine d’Orfeuilles in the Vouvray appellation. He was preparing preparation 501.
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Loire harvest 2021 – monitoring fermentations in the winery
Walk into any cellar in the Loire valley during harvest time and the chances are you’ll see wooden barrels with lots of chalk scribbles on the side.
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What’s on the cheeseboard this week? Soumaintrain
We’re particularly fond of soft cheeses. The smellier the better for us. Soumaintrain certainly ticks all the boxes.