OCTOBER 2024: LOIRE YOU EXPERIENCED?
LOIRE YOU EXPERIENCED?
The Loire Valley is the heart of France — as both a geographic center and a keystone for the entire country. It was the historic dividing line of north and south, French and Occitan. It was the backdrop for the beginning of modern France: Joan of Arc was led by visions of angels to the Castle of Chinon, where she convinced Charles VII to fight off the English occupiers. For wine purposes, the Loire River was one of the most important transportation routes in Europe, and it helped spread Loire wines all over the world. Going west, Loire wines sailed to England and the rest of the world through Nantes and the ports on the Atlantic Ocean. Going east, Loire wines quenched the thirsty populace of Paris.
If I was forced to only drink wines from one region, I wouldn't hesitate. Bracing, mineral whites from Muscadet; complex, tannic Cabernet Franc from Bourgeuil; quaffable, irreverent glou-glou made from Gamay, Grolleau, or Pineau d'Aunis; age-worthy Chenin with a touch of sweetness — the Loire covers a lot of ground and rarely gets boring. It's long been one of my favorite regions because of this huge range of styles.
Read all about our Loire love in this month's Direct Press 'zine!
Cheers,
Jonathan, Jeremy, Kate, and Greg
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