We like to include a winemaker in our tours. It rounds off the day nicely and winemaking is an important part of the culture here. One of the wineries we visit specialise in old vintages from the area. A tasting with them gives you the opportunity to sample wines from the last few years, which you can lay down in your own cellar, or you can benefit from the perfect cellaring conditions in a Loire Valley troglodyte cave and buy something from the 1980s, 1970s or 1950s. Only the finest quality Vouvrays, Montlouis, Chinons and Bourgueils are kept this length of time and it is fascinating to experience how different they are from the younger vintages.
A happy client with a bottle of 1959 Vouvray he has just selected.
The operation is so small scale they do not own a labelling machine and all the bottles are labelled by hand. You will be guided through the tasting with tips on what to expect from each of the wine, how to taste like a professional and shown the difference taking the wine with food can make.
If you would like to learn more about the wines of the Loire Valley, email us and let us know. We would be delighted to include a visit to a specialist wine cellar in your tour.