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An Evening of Loire Wine Tasting & French Cheese in Amboise Sundays & Mondays in July & August

New for 2023! An evening of Loire wine and French cheese in English on Sundays and Mondays in the centre of Amboise.

Do you know which wine goes best with which cheese? Are the wines of the Loire a bit of a mystery?

Then come and join us for a fun evening of cheese and wine discovery.

Cathy will introduce you to a range of wines from around the Loire valley. She’ll talk about the different grape varieties and wine styles you can find in the Loire and pair them with a range of French cheeses, charcuterie and crusty bread. You’ll also learn how to put together a cheeseboard and amaze your guests with your newly aquired knowledge of cheese and wine pairing!

If you’re curious to learn about the wines of the Loire in a relaxed, fun environment and fancy a light dinner then come and join us for an evening of wine and cheese in the rear dining room of one of Amboise’s best known bistros, Chez Bruno.

Cathy is English, has the WSET Diploma level 4 plus a Higher National Diploma in vinegrowing and winemaking. She and her husband run full day tours and also work closely with a number of top growers in the region.

These wine and cheese evenings will be in English although French speakers are very welcome.

Highlights

Tasting a range of wines from all over the Loire valley in English alongside a selection of French cheeses, charcuterie and crusty bread. Small groups of 12 maximum. Learn how to make up a cheeseboard and correctly cut and serve the cheeses.

What’s Included?

Wine tasting in English, top quality cheeses, charcuterie and fresh local breads. Advice on cheese & wine pairing led by highly qualified English wine professionals that have lived in the Loire for 17 years.

Details

Make your way to the rear dining room of Chez Bruno, 40 Place Michel Debré, Amboise (opposite the Royal Chateau of Amboise) for a 6.30pm start. The rear dining room is accessed via a small passageway to the right of the restaurant as you look at it.

The evening starts at 6.30pm (18h30) and finishes at 8.30pm (20h30).

The aim of the evening is a relaxed introduction to the Loire and its wines. We’ll talk about history, culture, cheese, reveal a few stories about the winemakers and invite you to ask as many questions as you can think of.

Chez Bruno is in the centre of Amboise and is easily accessible by foot from all the hotels.

Availability & Booking

If you would like to make a reservation, please book online or if it’s less than 24 hours before the day of the tasting then call Cathy on +33 6 77 91 44 60 and we’ll see what we can do. If you have any questions then drop Cathy an email at cathy@letastingroom.com.

 

Small Group Private Chateau Wine Experience

We’re excited to offer this exclusive wine experience for groups of 8-12 people in collaboration with one of the most dynamic young domaines at its beautiful historic chateau in the Loire countryside. The domaine’s winemaking history dates back to 1508.

A whole day immersive experience in the beautiful home of the owners and winemakers and guided by experienced English wine professionals.

The tour takes place at the Chateau which is located in a beautiful village just 10 minutes from Amboise.

If you’re in the Loire valley with a small group of friends this is a wonderful immersive day that combines wine tasting, history, great food, art and of course, much laughter.

Highlights

Introduction to the wines of the Loire led by Cathy, aperitif in the beautiful salon of the chateau, 3 course home cooked lunch served in the fabulous dining room of the chateau, personal tour of the caves and winemaking facilities of the domaine, walk up into the vineyards

What’s included?

Coffee and biscuits, introduction to the wines of the Loire and a tutored tasting, 3 course home made lunch served with wines from the domaine, guided walk to the vineyards above the chateau, private tour around the caves and winery. English guides with 35 years in the wine industry in France and the UK,  hosted by the owners of the domaine.

Details

Make your way directly to the chateau for a 10h00 start with coffee and biscuits.

Enjoy an introduction to the wines of the Loire led by Cathy Henton DipWSET HND Viti Oeno. Cathy will show you a range of wines from all over the Loire valley and talk about grape varieties, farming methods and wine styles as well as unravelling the complexities of French wine labelling and production.

Move into the elegant salon for an aperitif. Relax with a glass of the domaine’s delightful sparkling Vouvray and a few canapés.

Across the hallway is the beautiful formal dining room of the chateau. Here you’ll enjoy a home cooked lunch prepared by Cathy, Nigel and Louisa, the owner of the chateau. Local and seasonal produce will be on the menu together with beautiful cheeses and carefully selected wines from the domaine to accompany each course.

After lunch we’ll walk up through the woods to the vineyards above the chateau. As you look over to the Royal Chateau of Amboise in the distance we’ll talk about how the domaine farms organically and why that’s so important.

A private tour of the many caves which house the winemaking, ageing, labelling and more concludes the day. You’ll also have the chance to buy the wines at cellar door prices and the estate can ship wines back to the USA.

Availability & Booking

This tour is a bespoke option that can’t be booked on-line. Please contact cathy@letastingroom.com for further details or to book a date.

The tour is open for groups of 8-12 people and a non-refundable deposit is taken to secure a booking. For smaller groups please enquire.

 

 

Loire Wine Discovery Tour from Amboise

Our most popular Loire Wine Discovery day tour includes a comprehensive tasting and lunch in the comfort of our old winemaker’s home followed by a guided winery visit in the afternoon.

The tours starts from our home in Noizay, a tiny village in the heart of the Vouvray appellation 10 minutes from Amboise. Available as a day trip from Paris.

Highlights

Tasting a range of wines from all over the Loire valley, candlelit farm style 3 course lunch, chance to buy wine at cellar door prices, small groups of 2-6, opportunity to meet the producers.

What’s included?

Tutored tasting in English, 3 course home-cooked lunch, guided winery visit. English guides with 35 years experience in the wine trade.

Details

Make your way to our home in Noizay (just 10 minutes from Amboise) for a 10h00 start with coffee and biscuits.

Enjoy a tutored tasting of 6 wines reflecting the diversity of this great winemaking region in the comfort of our tasting room.  We run through the basics of tasting technique, discuss the geography of the region and unravel the mysteries of French wine labelling.

Relax in the garden with an aperitif before a delicious home-made 3 course lunch with wine.  Indulge in a selection of dishes creatively prepared using local ingredients sourced from our neighbouring potager, herbs from our garden and a selection of cheeses from a top quality supplier.

After lunch we drive to one of the many famous appellations and visit a winery where you’ll have the chance to taste a range of wines, stroll around the vineyards and buy wine at cellar door prices.

Availability & Booking

If you would like to make a reservation, please book on-line or if it’s less than 2 days before the date you require email cathy@letastingroom.com or call us on 00 33 (0)2 47 96 50 86 and we will be more than happy to discuss your individual requirements. Payment is required in full at the time of booking.

Any tours cancelled on our part will be fully refunded.

 

French Cheese & Loire Wine Discovery

Do you love cheese and wine? This tour, only available on Sundays will tell you all you need to know. During the morning you’ll learn about the different types of French cheese, how to put together a classic French cheeseboard, how to cut the different  cheeses correctly and how to pair them with wines that complement them perfectly.

The tour starts from Le Tasting Room in Noizay, a small village in the heart of the Vouvray wine producing area of the Loire just 10 minutes from Amboise.

Highlights

A comprehensive introduction and tasting of French cheeses. Learning how to put together a delicious balanced cheeseboard. Introduction to the wines of the Loire valley. Food and wine pairing.

What’s Included?

Coffee or tea and biscuits. Introduction to French cheese and how to put together a classic French cheeseboard. Tasting of a selection of French cheeses. Introduction to the wines of the Loire valley. Tasting of a range of wines from the Loire. A delicious home cooked  lunch (main course and dessert prepared by Cathy and Nigel) served in their delightful troglodyte home in the heart of the vineyard area.

Details

Make your way to our home in Noizay (just 10 minutes from Amboise) for a 10h00 start with coffee and biscuits.

Enjoy an introduction to French cheeses and Loire valley wines. You’ll learn about the different types of French cheese, how to put together a balanced cheeseboard and how to cut them correctly.  We’ll taste the cheeses as we go along and pair them with wines from the Loire valley that complement them.

Relax in the garden with an aperitif before a delicious home-made 3 course lunch with wine. Indulge in a selection of dishes creatively prepared using local ingredients sourced from our local markets and our garden.

The day finishes around 15h00 after our relaxed French style Sunday lunch.

Availability & Booking

Bookings made within 48 hours of the tour date will be subject to payment in full at the time of booking.  Any tour cancelled within 48 hours of the tour date will be subject to full payment.  Any cancellations on our part will be fully refunded.

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Le Tasting Room Gift Cards

Why not offer someone a Tasting Room gift card or treat yourself! You can purchase a day as a treat for someone in advance or choose any amount to offset against a wine tasting, tour or break.

Thinking about travelling in 2021? You might like to support a small business like ours by buying a gift card or certificate that can be redeemed against any of our tours or tastings.

We know that tourism will be slow to return but we know you will be back and we can’t wait to see you again.

Merry Christmas!