Wine with Leslie: Wine recommendations from the Loire Valley
Sunset over vineyards in the Loire Valley
Greetings from the Loire. I’m writing this on the Île de Nantes, the large river island in the heart of that great city.
My son is finishing his Masters degree in the university of Nantes and despite a heavy workload he is loving his time in this vibrant city.
Nantes was once the capital of Brittany and seat of the Dukes of Brittany (their impressive castle remains standing).
We came by boat (Cork-Roscoff with Brittany Ferries) and as well as exploring the city we have found time to explore some of the many Loire vineyards that are within a two-hour drive.
You could drive just 30 minutes south to visit Muscadet producers and pair their fresh zingy wines with platters of fruits de mer in local restaurants.
Or, for more diversity, travel inland as we did to explore Anjou Villages vineyards making textured dry Chenin Blancs and crunchy juicy Cabernet Franc based reds.
Crément de Loire sparklers are everywhere and are fantastic value, dry and sweet rosé are too.
As you travel a little further along the river and head south you meet the Layon tributary where you will find sweet chenin from the Coteaux du Layon and Bonnezeaux AOPs.
These wines are honeyed and intense and a rival to great Sauternes, a fine match for pâté, cheese or light desserts.
Other villages/regions to visit include Savennières (my favourite dry white wine), Saumur, Saumur-Champigny, Bourgueil and Chinon and then just past the city of Tours you find the glory that is Vouvray with its sparklers and dry and sweet Chenins.
Sauvignon Blanc makes its voice heard once you pass Vouvray and head towards Orléans, culminating in Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé (four hours from Nantes).
The Loire is our nearest fine wine region and is too often ignored by Irish wine lovers. I can’t recommend a visit highly enough. Below are some examples why.
The Langlois-Château Loire range in O’Briens is excellent and worth exploring.
In the past I’ve recommended their charming red-fruited Cab-Franc based Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil and their textured dry Saumur white.
This sparkling Chenin-Chardonnay blend has lemon zest and apple aromas, a lively mousse, a touch of brioche, and a fruit-driven palate with surprising richness.
Normally €26, this is a bargain, stock up for Christmas.
I’ve visited the Robert et Marcel Co-Op in the village of Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg before but sadly not this trip.
I also recommend their textured layered Saumur Blanc which is generally stocked beside this wine.
I like this a little cooler (say 14-16C), bright red fruit aromas (cherry and strawberry), a lively fruit-focused palate with crunchy black and red fruits.
Try with duck or lamb.
The river Layon is a tributary of the Loire and creates the mists that cause noble rot (botrytis) and intensely sweet chenin blanc grapes, yet without affecting their acidity levels.
Honey, baked apple and sweet lemon, luscious baked fruits, sweet lemons, crisp and fresh on the finish.
Try with pâté de foie, goats cheese, or on its own.
A welcome new addition to the Bushmills range.
This is aged in bourbon and oloroso casks and finished in marsala casks and at a very accessible price and abv.
Aromas of honey, dried fruits and orange peel with warming spice notes.
Smooth on the palate with pear drop hints and a pleasing prickle of pepper on the finish.
Perfect sipping whiskey but also nicely suited to making Old-Fashioneds.
