Two bearded Loire Philippes @ London Wine Trade Fair

Philippe Porché 

(Domaine de Rocheville, Saumur/Saumur-Champigny)

Philippe Germain, Château la Roulerie, Anjou 

The fashion for beards grows a pace in the Loire – this implies a considerable amount of work in updating my photo portfolio – as both of these gentlemen used to be clean-shaven. 

The two Philippes, however, had contrasting experiences of the late April frosts. Philippe Germain (Château de la Roulerie) reported that out of the 17ha of vineyards that make up La Roulerie, 6ha had been seriously hit by the series of frosts in the last week of April. Fortunately, however, his Les Grandes Brosses on the south side of the Layon had not been affected.  

In contrast Philippe Porché (Domaine de Rocheville) with most of their vines in Parnay were not serious hit – similar to Château de Villeneuve, in neighbouring Souzay-Champigny, whose loss was only 10%. It is clear that the the northern part of the Saumur-Champigny was spared in contrast to the communes of St Cyr-en-Bourg, Chacé and Varrains on the dip slope who are always seem to be more susceptible to frost.