Côtes de Forez: 4th day in Forez/Roannaise

Misty morning in the Côtes de Forez 

Photos from my fourth day in the Forez/Roannaise appellations spending the entire day in the Côtes de Forez.

 Le Rézinet: my comfortable and well-appointed chambre d'hôte 

in the commune of Marcilly le Châtel

 Hens in the vines without the need for 

high fencing unlike Bourgueil

Cock of the Gamay!

Terraces of Montaubourg (@600 metres) – a separate cuvée 

made by the Cave Coop

View from Montaubourg towards another extinct volcano

Cave Coop: Les Vignerons Foréziens 

Once virtually the only producer in the appellation

Now making 50%-60% of the appellation and VDP wines

Alain Patard: président of Les Vignerons Foréziens

Jacky Logel in his parcel of Pinot Gris@Montverdun

Maxime, Jacky Logel's nephew who 

will take over when Jacky retires 

 Verdier Logel: sign above their caveau

The Triumvirate: Jacky Logel, Odile Verdier and Maxime

Implement (inter-cep) for tilling the soil between the vines

@Domaine du Poyet (Jean-François Arnaud) 

Jean–François' very sporty tractor!

Jean–François Arnaud (Domaine du Poyet)

The steep slopes of La Madone (Gilles Bonnefoy) 

An old volcano

Jean-François Arnaud + Gilles Bonnefoy 
with Champdieu in background

  

The old centre of Campdieu with building still 

needing repair after the severe hailstorm

Display damaged and cracked by severe 

hailstorm on 6th August 2013

Jacky Logel: Pinot Gris still showing 

hail damage from 5th August 2012 

 Peacocks in the vines!

2011 Pinot Gris from Odile Verdier and Jacky Logel

2011 Pierrelune, Pinot Gris sur granite, Odile Verdier and Jacky Logel

This Pinot Gris from Odile Verdier and Jacky Logel is the last of the fascinating range of samples I was sent from the Côtes de Forez and the Côte Roannaise. Where I was disappointed with their Côtes de Forez, I really liked the quite opulent fruit and balance of this 2011 Pinot Gris, which is very much in an Alsace rather than a typical Italian Pinot Grigio. Although the fruit has richness it is not overblown – the alcohol is 12.5% – and as I say well balanced. 

Pinot Gris remains a rarity in the Loire with some grown here. There is a little in Reuilly used to make the traditional gris rosé and small amounts in Touraine, particularly in Touraine Noble Joué and then a presence in the Coteaux d'Ancenis. In Ancenis it goes under the name Malvoisie as it does in Touraine when it is made as a sweet wine, largely for the producers' own consumption.

Will certainly be making a trip to the vineyards of Forez and Roanne in 2013.