2012 Decanter World Wine Awards: a golden day on Loire panel

 Part of the Loire panel: Chris Kissack (The Wine Doctor) and Nigel Wilkinson (RSJ Restaurant) 

In contrast to yesterday when the rather dreary morning flights of not very good Sauvignon – vin de pays, Touraine and some of the Central Vineyard appellations was followed by some good Muscadet today was very productive throughout yielding an all-time record haul of medals. A short range of vin de pays Chardonnays was the only poor flight of the day. 

On the panel today were established members Chris Kissack and Nigel Wilkinson along with newcomer – Jason Yapp of Yapp Brothers. Several flights of Pouilly-Fumé took up most of the morning. Around 60% were from the 2011 vintage and 40% from 2010. In previous years Pouilly-Fumé has been disappointing. However, this year the quality was much improved and, although there were no golds, we were able to award four Silvers, six Bronzes and to commend a number.          

 Jason Yapp of Yapp Brothers 

Nigel Wilkinson searching for the secret of Chenin

In the afternoon we moved on to Chenin Blanc starting with a range of good dry whites from Anjou through to Touraine. Then on to a flight with five Savennières and four Vouvrays – mainly from the 2010 vintage. Again a good standard but none hit the heights attained by FL's 2008 Château de Chamboureau, which took the Loire Over £10 Trophy.  

We finished with a very fine range of eleven sweet wines running westward from Coteaux de Saumur through to the Quarts de Chaume with all but one coming from the excellent 2010 vintage. In unprecedented scenes we awarded three golds – a Coteaux de Saumur, a Coteaux du Layon Chaume and a Quarts de Chaume. To put this into context we awarded a total of two golds last year and none the year before. No doubt that 2010 is best sweet wine vintage in the western part of the Loire (Anjou-Saumur) since the lovely 2007s.   

 Jason Yapp

Sebastian Denton

We have been looked after brilliantly by our 'red shirt' Sebastian Denton, son of Michael Denton, Decanter's long serving advertising manager for France.   

 Sebastian@work