Jim's Loire: 14th edition of the Fête des Vins de Bourgueil in centre of Tours

Sunday 20 March 2016

14th edition of the Fête des Vins de Bourgueil in centre of Tours

A good crowd but I believe it got even busier in the afternoon

wrapped up well for the chilly start

After a chilly start yesterday the Bourgueil producers' annual invasion of Tours was blessed with warm sunshine. This year they had two good vintages – 2014 and 2015 – to show.

It was good to see that Serge Babary, the current Maire of Tours, is keen to support this Bourgueil Fête in the centre of Tours. An event that was started by his predecessor – the late Jean Germain, who came from Bourgueil.

Although the Fête des Vins de Bourgueil is early in the year – mid March – the weather is usually kind. It is a great shop window: attracting large crowds, introducing and promoting Bourgueil to audience that includes a good proportion of #winelovers in their 20s. It was noticeable that producers were doing a brisk trade selling their wine.

There was a considerable range of prices – from around 5€ to over 20€. The difference in price wasn't always matched by superior quality difference..

Given the success of this Fête it is surprising that, apart from the big pan-Loire festival – VitiLoire at the end of May – no other Loire appellations have ventured into the centre of Tours to hold a similar event.

Aurélien Revillot

fast emerging young star in Bourgueil

Sophie Raimbault commenting on

Hachette's complaint against the former name of their domaine

now Domaine Ansodelles

Armand de Tilly with his head winemaker

(above and below)

Armand was showing his first vintage (2015) from his 1.3 hectares of vines formed of various parcels mainly in the commune of Benais. After working for Pierre and Catherine Breton, Armand took over his vines in March 2015 and has vines on all three soil types – sand, gravel and clay-limestone.