Only one day to go!

 One of the lovely views of a tranquil Loire

Jim has now completed 7 days of his Loire Ride for Esme, so far covering a total of 950 km and gaining 5420 m in elevation. He was helped on his way today by Charlie Pasquiers from Domaine FL. Another long day but finished in time to enjoy a glass of Coteaux d'Ancenis from Brigitte and Bernard at Domaine de la Pléiade, generously offered by our hosts Andrew and Aline Trepass at the lovely Loire Séjours B&B in Ancenis.

Yesterday Jim was supported by Michel Mergot, long-time friend and ex-mayor of Epeigné-les-Bois, who cycled from Bourgueil to meet him. 

Jim and Michel - not far from the finish

 Jim and CRM

We were completely bowled over by the warm reception at Bourgueil, organised by Guillaume Lapaque, Director of Vins de Bourgueil. Many thanks to Guillaume for getting together such a great group of local journalists, winemakers and promoters of Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil wines. Many thanks to Ludo Ragot for hosting this event at the Café de la Promenade and creating the great convivial atmosphere. And many thanks for the generous donations to the charities Jim has chosen:

Gustave Roussy 
https://igr.friendraising.eu/jim.budd
Teenage Cancer Trust 
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JimBudd

Thanks, too, to friends Zosh and Malcolm Wall who cheered Jim on at Montlouis and Noelle and Michael Keating for coming along to support and welcome Jim at Bourgueil.

 Jim speaking to the assembled throng

Jim and Guillaume Lapaque at the Café de la Promenade

 Being quizzed about his super bike

 A final pose with dignitaries and ... a glass of Bourgueil

Coteaux d'Ancenis: promotion to l'AOP expected this year

La Maison des Vins@Ancenis

Message from Interloire about news of the promotion of the Coteaux d'Ancenis to L'AOP status:

Suite à votre demande, je vous informe que l'accession  à l'AOP pour le Coteaux d'Ancenis devrait intervenir courant 2011 (peut-être avant l'été).

Nous vons informerons une fois que nous aurons confirmation.'

Assuming this promotion goes ahead as expected Ancenis will, I think, be the last of the old Loire VDQSto be promoted to appellation status. 

Gros Plant to AOC

 Ancenis still awaiting promotion

 Mention on Facebook by Eva Robineau has tipped me off that Gros Plant has been promoted to AOC from VDQS status. Apparently the promotion will date from March 2012, presumably meaning that the 2011 vintage will be entitled to be AOC. Equally it may mean that Gros Plant will have to wait for the 2012 vintage. If anyone can clarify this I would be grateful. The new AOC will be for Gros Plant and Gros Plant sur lie.

Gros Plant was one of the last remaining VDQS to be promoted to AOC. At one time the Gros Plant syndicat has decided now to attempt to apply for promotion to AC status rather for the wines to become vin de pays. This led to a considerable outcry by producers like Gilbert Bossard and the syndicat must have been forced to think again.

As far as I know this now leaves the Coteaux d'Ancenis awaiting promotion and the Vin du Thouarsais, which I believe has decided it is too small to apply for promotion to an appellation. 

See here for Hervé Lalau on Gros Plant and Robert Parker.