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Life in the Loire on lock-down. 19th April. Day thirty six.
A dreary day here in the Loire. Grey and dull. It’s trying to rain but not making a very good job of it. A sluggish start in this house.
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Life in the Loire on lock-down. 7th April. Day twenty four.
My yesterday’s bread was not voted the favourite so far it has to be said. It rose well and has great flavour but seems a bit dry.
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Art Is An Ale – a new craft brewery in Amboise
Franco/American couple Matt and Katie Perradeau are brewing American craft style beers using French ingredients. We popped in yesterday to have a taste and to wish them good luck.
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What’s going on in the Loire valley vineyards in May?
The beginning of May saw another few days when the temperature dropped below zero. Growers were out in force all through the night lighting fires, burning candles and pumping water from the Vienne trying to minimise the damage.
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Frost alert again May 6th & 7th
Growers in Vouvray, Montlouis sur Loire, Saumur Champigny, the hills of the Layon in Anjou and Savennières braced themselves for another sleepless night.
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What’s going on in the vineyards in April?
April has been an eventful month in the Loire valley vineyards with temperatures dropping well below zero on both the 4th and 14th of April.
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Talking about Loire valley wines with Diane of Oui in France
We spent the day with Diane, the American blogger of Oui in France. We met 10 years ago when she spent the day with us and we have remained in contact.
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What’s been going on in the vineyards in March?
Growers are rushing to get pruning finished as buds are already bursting. Young vines were at the wooly bud stage about 10 days ago.
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Good restaurants in and around Amboise – La Part Belle, Rochecorbon
It can be tricky to find good restaurants in areas that receive a lot of tourists. It pays to leave the main tourist drag and explore the local villages.
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Places to stay in and around Amboise
The Chateau de Nazelles is a wonderful 16th century manor set amongst beautiful tranquil gardens, perched on the limestone hillside in the countryside.
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Le Tasting Room gets in shape for the 2019 season
Things are really taking shape here at le tasting room in the Loire valley. Our new home is semi-troglodytic (partially built into the rock face).
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Les Grandes Tablées du Saumur Champigny 1 & 2 August 2018
For two nights in August, the centre of Saumur becomes the biggest restaurant in the world as thousands gather for the annual celebration of Saumur Champigny and its wines over a delightful open air dinner on the banks of the river Loire.