You may remember a post about Michelin-star restaurants that I included in my last Wednesday’s Blogger Round-up written by The Good Life France, an independent on-line magazine about France and all things French, covering all aspects of daily life including healthcare, finance, utilities, education, property and a whole lot more.
As a result, the editor, Janine Marsh, asked me to write a guest post, and here it is!
Top Tips for Wine Tasting
Just in case you’re wondering about my credentials for giving tips on wine tasting, Jean Michel and I have spent the last 15 years wine tasting and attending numerous beginners’ and advanced wine classes. As members of a cercle oenophile (wine buffs’ club) we have developed an efficient strategy for wine tasting in many of France’s wine-growing regions.
For many people, the wine experience is an integral part of a holiday in France but there are so many varieties that they often don’t know where to start and many visitors hesitate to visit a winery (vignoble) on their own.
The cellar door (chez le propriétaire) in France is usually just that – right on the vineyard – except in larger establishments where there may be a store in the closest town. When wines are bottled by the wine grower, Mise en bouteille à la propriété (or au chateau) will be indicated on the bottle.
If you want personal contact and a more authentic experience, it’s best to aim at the smaller vineyards. Read more
LOIRE VALLEY VINEYARDS
And just to get you started, here are a few addresses:
Blois Chez Laurent, cellar, wine tasting lessons, 5 rue Saint-Martin, 41000 Blois, 02 34 89 13 23 contact@chezlaurent.fr http://www.chezlaurent.fr/ Vinomania, cellar, restaurant, wine bar, wine tasting lessons, Place ave Maria, 12 rue du Poids du Roi, 41000 Blois, 02 54 90 17 66 Les Forges du Château, tearoom, cellar, 21 Place du Chateau, 41000 Blois Vouvray Domaine Freslier, cellar door, 92 rue de la Vallée Coquette 37210 Vouvray, 02 47 52 76 61 Touraine Domaine du Prieuré, cellar door, 41120 Valaire, 02 54 44 14 62 Chinon Domaine de La Roche Honneur, cellar door, 1, rue de la Berthelonnière, 37420 SAVIGNY EN VERON , 02 47 58 42 10, roche.honneur@club-internet.fr
Great that you are invited to write posts for others! Also, I always appreciate your details because when I visit France I like to get to the ‘not so tourist bits’ ! Ta heaps.
Merci beaucoup! We will be returning this year to our wonderful 2014 host in Amboise and her recommendation of Plou et Fils nearby http://www.plouetfils.com/
You’re very welcome! I have drunk the wine of Plou et Fils on many festive occasions! I hope you have a lovely time in the Loire this year despite all the flooding. Amboise and Blois remained pretty dry on the whole.
Great to know, Rosemary. Hopefully, by October/November all will be back to normal, as it was two years ago.