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Tagged with "staying off the beaten track in the Loire valley"

Loire Wine Tour, Ecolodge & Spa

New for 2017 we have teamed up with Ecolodges de Loire & Spa to offer you a short stay in the heart of the beautiful Anjou countryside after a day of Loire Wine Discovery

12 Jan, 2017

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Growers in France are required to follow what is c

Growers in France are required to follow what is called a ‘cahier de charges’ if they sell their wines under an appellation, which refers to a specific geographic location. Each appellation has its own rules and regulations and many of those control vineyard layout and canopy management (the way the vines are arranged and supported).

These vineyards are in the Vouvray appellation. The height of the wires that support the vines is controlled.

That’s why, when you drive through the vineyards, all the vines appear to be the same height. The trellising system that supports the vines is specified in the rule book, as is the space between the vines, the space between the rows and the planting density.

Replacing broken wires is a job that is generally done during the winter months when the vines are dormant.

#loirevalleywines #vouvray #chenincheninchenin #wineeducation

The weather is still warm and dry here in the Loir

The weather is still warm and dry here in the Loire. Perfect conditions for working the soil underneath the vines.

This is a healthy vineyard owned by @vincentcareme. Organic and alive.

#loirevalleywines #vouvray #chenincheninchenin #organic

A few happy days with guests this season. It’s no

A few happy days with guests this season.

It’s not quite over, we’ve got a couple of busy weeks ahead.

This summer we’ve celebrated 40th’s, 50th’s, 60th’s, retirement, friendship, love and laughter. One thing in common, an interest in sharing a day immersed in the wines of the Loire valley at a gentle pace and including a home cooked lunch.

We’ve strolled around vineyards, had coffee and croissant in the morning sunshine, poked our noses in tanks and barrels and introduced some of favourite winemakers and their wines. We’ve talked about everything and anything and sat around the table enjoying lunch together.

What a year it’s been. Climate change has been one of the hot topics.

Thanks to our lovely vine growers and winemakers for welcoming us. Our guests have loved meeting you and discovering your wonderful wines.

#loirewinetours #loirevalleywines #wineeducation #lifeinfrance

News from the Loire September 2026! A very belated

News from the Loire September 2026!
A very belated newsletter from the Loire giving you our news.
It's been a very busy few months. Harvest started historically early and as we move towards the end of September I can report that we have had less that 1mm of rain this month. What a year it's been for growers in the Loire (and all over France).
The grapes are in and fermentations bubbling away in the cellars as I write.
And in other news, we had a family wedding at the end of August. Three days of celebrations and festivities with family over from the UK to join in the fun.

To catch up with all our news, our favourite bottles, tasting things on the dining table and news from the vineyards click the link in my bio.

#loirevalley #loirevalleywines #vendanges26 #newsfromtheloire

Smiles all round @chateauyvonne today as Mathieu V

Smiles all round @chateauyvonne today as Mathieu Vallée and his team celebrated the end of harvest.

And it’s good news from him. A storm at the beginning of September brought 40mm of much needed rain and it changed everything. A week later, the Cab Franc started coming in, ripe, balanced and with a decent amount of juice.

His Chenin came in before the rain so yields are lower but with intense concentration.

What a year it’s been for vignerons in the Loire.

#vendanges2026 #saumurchampigny #cabfranc #loirewines #chateauyvonne

Any idea what this is? If you've ever driven pas

Any idea what this is?

If you've ever driven past our local distillery during harvest time, you'll see an impressive mountain of grape skins, seeds and pulp.

This is marc de raisin — what’s left after the grapes have been pressed.

Historically there was concern about people recovering alcohol from marc or manipulating wine production.

So the state created a system whereby winegrowers had to account for their by-products and, for many years, sent them to an approved distiller.

This system was formalised by the EU and was linked to EU Common Agricultural Policy and wine market regulations.

While it used to be compulsary for growers to deliver their marc to the local distillery, the law changed in 2014 giving growers a little more flexibility.

These days they can be composted, sent to the distillery or go to a methanisation centre. But, growers are still obliged to dispose of their wine-making by products properly.

So that enormous pile isn't waste waiting to be thrown away. It's part of the fascinating cycle of the wine industry — grapes → wine → marc → distillation → alcohol and other useful products.

#loirewinetours#Harvest #LoireValley #LoireWine #Vouvray #FrenchWine #WineHarvest #MarcDeRaisin #Distillery #wineeducation

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