Ever heard of bernache?

If you visit the Loire Valley in October you will be in for a seasonal treat. With the grape harvest finished the winemakers set about their art. For a brief period, little more than a fortnight, the grape juice in the fermentation vats, not yet wine, but no longer just juice, is available. In the Loire region it is known as bernache. At the wineries we visit you can sense the excitement amongst the staff. The new wine is on its way, and even while it is still at the sweet and fizzy stage they are already forming an opinion about what the vintage will be like. Every year is different because here in the Loire we are reliant on the weather to deliver the right amount of sunshine and rain. No irrigation is allowed and the winemaker must watch the conditions very carefully to judge the perfect time to harvest.

Bernache is drawn directly from the vat
for clients to sample.

If you would like to sample this regional and seasonal speciality, then email us and ask us to design a tour for you in late September or October.