Back in the Loire

Hotel du Mail, Angers

Very good to be back in the Loire – seems a while since I was last here. We had an excellent drive down from Calais in very good conditions to our first visit with Thierry Germain@Domaine des Roches Neuves in Varrains, close to Saumur. Our appointment was for 4pm and we arrived at 4.01! If it hadn't been for a broken down car in the Eurotunnel shuttle that held us up briefly we would have been early. Plenty of activity going on at Thierry's getting ready to faire à fête over the weekend plus a meeting with Antoine Gerbelle, La Revue du Vin de France, on Saturday morning for a tasting including a vertical of Marginale.

Theirry's German importer was there plus Thomas, producer from Calce in the Roussillon, who also supplies barrels to Thierry.

Following Thierry we moved onto Jean-Pierre Chevallier and then to Angers where we ate with Christophe and Claire Daviau (Domaine de Bablut) at Une Ile, after having checked into the Hotel du Mail where I have stayed for more years than I can remember. Certainly recommended as it is a friendly hotel, right in the centre but quiet.

This post has been written in haste as we are now off for a full day of visits in Anjou starting with Claude Papin (Château Pierre-Bise). Post will be revised and expanded – hopefully later today.