Had a brilliant dinner at Brat last night. It was my first time, and it was one of the meals of the year. Our theme was Loire, and we brought…
Sauvignon Blanc: comparing good examples from the Loire and New Zealand
Awareness days. There are just so many of them. Sauvignon Blanc Day is 3rd of May. Whatever you think about these awareness days for grape varieties, this was an…
Latest releases from Centre Loire star Pascal Jolivet: Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé
Domaine Pascal Jolivet is one of the most significant producers in the centre Loire, making some impressive wines from the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé appellations. As a family, the Jolivets entered…
Vincent Carême Vouvray Sec 2015
I visited Vincent Carême a year ago, and loved his wines, as well as Vouvray, which makes some of the most compelling Chenin Blancs you could hope for (as well…
Sebastien Brunet Les Pentes de la Folie Vouvray
Another find at Scotch wine bar in Blenheim. So much Vouvray is disappointing, but this domaine, which Sébastien took over from his father in 2006, is making the most of…
Loire adventure: Nicolas and Virginie Joly, Coulée de Serrant, Savennières
La Coulée de Serrant (Chateau de la Roche aux Moines) is a domaine with a narrow focus. It’s just whites. Just Chenin Blanc. Just dry wines. But it is this…
Three Muscadets, and how I am beginning to love Melon
Isn’t Melon an interesting grape variety? I’ve had good examples from Canada (Niagara) and Oregon of late. I’m glad people are working with a variety like this, which traditionally hasn’t…
Loire adventure: visiting the remarkable François Saint-Lô
The rain was easing as we arrived for an appointment with François Saint-Lô, but it was still a cold, damp day. Not ideal for tasting wine. There’s nothing fancy about…
Loire adventure: Melaric, Saumur
It may have been May, but it felt like November as we arrived at Melaric in Saumur. It was cold, blustery and the rain beat down incessantly on the roof…