Concentrating mainly but not exclusively on the Loire's vineyards, its vignerons and their wines along with places to eat and stay. Also covers some recently published wine books – not just from Loire. Regional Chair for Loire @Decanter's World Wine Awards since its inception.
Winner of the 2009 Wine Blog Trophy (journalist category) Salon des Vins de Loire. I have a large and expanding library of photos, particularly from the Loire – places, producers, vineyards etc. European.
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Monday 24 October 2011
Les 5 du Vin: post on 'agreeable, little wines from the Loire'
Un petit vin?!: 1919 Le Mont Vouvray Moelleux@90 years young
My post on Les 5 du Vin this week centres around a conversation in a brasserie in Troyes and the view of the Loire as the home of modest little wines.
I do so agree about the fact that Loire wines can be amoung the truly grat wines of the world - not always, of course, or even often, but certainly sometimes. It happens most often with a great winemaker like Huet, certainly the many years the best winemaker in Vouvray and probably on the Loire, certainly of white wines. To illustrate my point here is the menu and accompanying wines I had a rather special dinner party a year or two ago:
COURSE DISH ACCOMPANYING WINE CANAPES A selection of 4: prawns with Thai dip; quail eggs; smoked salmon; (1) Champagne: Krug 1982 AMUSE BOUCHE A surprise! (2) Alsace: Paul Zink Gd Cru Gewurztraminer 2002 (3)Vouvray: Huet Le Haut Lieu (sec) 1988 STARTER Poached Quenelles of Gurnard with a prawn sauce Continue with (2) & (3) MAIN COURSE Salmi of partridge (4) Bordeaux, Margaux: Chateau Margaux 1993 and rest of (2) and (3); DESSERT Pannetone bread & butter pudding (5) Sauternes: Chateau Climens 1988 (half) (? Full bottle, if so different vintage) SAVOURY Devils/Angels on horseback Finish (4) CHEESE Various cheeses (we were too full to eat any! (6) Vintage Port Ferreira 1970
with all those great wines it was the Huet that was the best, the gentlemen of the party at least preferring it to the Margaux to drink with the partridge. If the Huet can be the best wine in such a gathering then indeed the while wines can be among the truly great,
Jim,
ReplyDeleteI do so agree about the fact that Loire wines can be amoung the truly grat wines of the world - not always, of course, or even often, but certainly sometimes. It happens most often with a great winemaker like Huet, certainly the many years the best winemaker in Vouvray and probably on the Loire, certainly of white wines. To illustrate my point here is the menu and accompanying wines I had a rather special dinner party a year or two ago:
COURSE DISH ACCOMPANYING WINE
CANAPES A selection of 4: prawns with Thai dip; quail eggs; smoked salmon; (1) Champagne: Krug 1982
AMUSE BOUCHE A surprise! (2) Alsace: Paul Zink Gd Cru Gewurztraminer 2002 (3)Vouvray: Huet Le Haut Lieu (sec) 1988
STARTER Poached Quenelles of Gurnard with a prawn sauce Continue with (2) & (3)
MAIN COURSE Salmi of partridge
(4) Bordeaux, Margaux: Chateau Margaux 1993 and rest of (2) and (3);
DESSERT Pannetone bread & butter pudding
(5) Sauternes: Chateau Climens 1988 (half) (? Full bottle, if so different vintage)
SAVOURY Devils/Angels on horseback
Finish (4)
CHEESE Various cheeses (we were too full to eat any!
(6) Vintage Port Ferreira 1970
with all those great wines it was the Huet that was the best, the gentlemen of the party at least preferring it to the Margaux to drink with the partridge. If the Huet can be the best wine in such a gathering then indeed the while wines can be among the truly great,
Graham
Thanks Graham. A tasty snack!
ReplyDelete