I spent a few hours at VitiLoire in the centre of Tours today having caught the train from Chenonceaux into Tours. Waiting for the train at Chenonceaux it was noticeable that many of the vines in the vineyard next to the railway looked as though they were still in the middle of winter with no sign of growth.
Small selection of wines that impressed me at VitiLoire:
Producer in Thore la Rochette with 25 hectares – 40% Pineau d'Aunis, 25% Chenin, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% of a range of other grape varieties mainly used in the sparkling wine.
2015 Tradition – a gris made from 100% Pineau d'Aunis
AC Coteaux du Vendômois
Méthod Trad Vin de France – 50% Chenin, 50% Pineau d'Aunis
Fabien Demois, Chinon
2015 L'âne Gris, Vin de France
A white made from 100% Cabernet Franc
2013 Vieilles Vignes, Chinon, Domaine de Doulaye
An impressive 2013 Chinon from
a difficult vintage
Xavier Frissant, Amboise
2014 La Griffe d'Isa, 100% Fie Gris, Touraine, Xavier Frissant
Bruno Curassier, Domaine de la Grange, Touraine
2014 Touraine Chenonceaux, Domaine de la Grange
Concentration of grassy fruit with good length
Caves du Père Auguste, Touraine
2014 Touraine Chenonceaux Blanc, Caves du Père Auguste
grassy gooseberry, texture and weight
Domaine des Vallettes, St Nicolas de Bourgueil
2013 Un Coup de Breton, Bourgueil, Domaine des Vallettes
New label from Domaine des Vallettes
in St Nicolas de Bourgueil
Domaine de Noiré, Jean-Max Manceau, Chinon
2015 Amphora, Domaine de Noiré
Chinon Blanc
Vinified in Amphore – good concentration,
texture and complexity
I was over at Chinon about 10 days ago, near Huismes. The vines there were really obviously affected, with only 3 of the 10 buds showing any leaves. That's obviously how they are calculating the estimated loss of 70%. Talking to Vouvray producers who got hit by the frost they are brushing it off as a mere nothing. The 20-30% loss they are expecting is better than the 50% losses the last couple of years.
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