2014 Loire: Domaine Joël Delaunay, AC Touraine

 Joël Delaunay of Domaine Joël Delaunay 

@Pouillé, now run for a number of years by his son Thierry 

Last Friday we dropped in on Domaine Joël Delaunay to see Joël and Thierry. "We are very happy with the yields – for our Sauvignon Blanc it is between 60-65 hl/ha," said Thierry. Tasting the juice it had good body and balance and certainly not dilute. This is one of the few domaines where the producer has reported yields towards the maximum allowed under the AC system. Many other producers have bemoaned that they would have preferred a rather more generous crop especially after 2012 and 2013. 

Olivier Flamand (Domaine Flamand Deletang) was the other producer, who was happy with his yields.   

 Raking machine harvested Sauvignon Blanc onto the conveyor belt

Portes Ouvertes etc.: Côte Roannaise, Tours, Touraine et Quincy/Reuilly

Marché à la Ferme: Ferme Vial Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April, Saint-André d'Apchon (Côte Roannaise).

'Le Domaine Vial accueille les 5 et 6 avril le marché annuel des producteurs fermiers du Roannais. De 10h à 18h, des produits régionaux variés vous seront proposés : des bisons des Monts de la Madelaine aux vins de la Côte Roannaise en passant par les salaisons de Lionel Gaudard, les volailles de La Gallinette ou encore les fromages de la Ferme aux cabris.

Et ne ratez pas votre séance de "Bouthéran Terre'Happy" à partir de 16h le samedi et de 15h à 16h30 le dimanche. Au programme : Échauffement (toujours avant l'effort), Effort (en deux temps : précision et décontraction) et Réconfort (dégustation d'un nectar). Tenue recommandée : tablier / chapeau de paille.

Plus d'information sur RWTV : http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1icwtc_marche-fermier-les-5-et-6-avril-en-cote-roannaise_webcam?search_algo=2 

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Le Sot de l'Ange

Details of official launch in Tours here.

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Thierry Delaunay

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April: Domaine Joël Delaunay (Touraine) from 10am to 7pm 

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Domaine Tatin (Quincy/Reuilly): Portes Ouvertes Saturday 25th May à Brinay from 10am

Chinon: les vignerons dans la ville 2013 on 27th April + PO@Domaine Joël Delaunay – 27th and 28th April

A chance to taste lots of Chinon on Saturday 27th April in the streets of the town@les vignerons dans la ville from 10am to 6pm.

Also that weekend Portes Ouvertes@Domaine Joël Delaunay:

 

Joël Delaunay and Antoine Simoneau: portes ouvertes

2010 Domaine de la Brossette, AC Touraine – blend of Cabernet and Gamay 

Domaine Joël Delaunay is holding its portes ouvertes this weekend: 19th-20th November 10h-18h. I expect among the wines to taste will be an important milestone for this well-established domaine – their first organic wine from Domaine de la Brossette from organically cultivated vines purchased relatively recently from Junko Arai. It is good to see that Thierry Delaunay, who now runs the domaine, has chosen to continue cultivating these vines organically and this 2010 Brossette red is the first fruits of this experiment for Thierry. The 2010 has attractive, slightly edgy black fruits and good length. Although it lacks complexity, it is I think a wine to be enjoy now or over the next couple of years. 

It will be interesting to see whether Thierry feels that the experience of looking after this organic vineyard will convince him in time to convert part or all of the family estate to organic viticulture.    

2010 Domaine de la Brossette, AC Touraine 

A weekend after the Portes Ouvertes at Thierry Delaunay in Pouillé-sur-Cher, Antoine Simoneau in Saint-Georges-sur-Cher has an open day (une ambiance champêtre) in La Chaise, Saint-Georges-sur-Cher. Here there will be no organic wines on show but perhaps some day their turn will come.   

2010 Loire Sauvignon Blanc Ambassadors: Domaine Joël Delaunay

Last night we tried another of the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Ambassadors – the screwcapped 2010 from Thierry Delaunay of Domaine Joël Delaunay. The Delaunays are based at La Tesnière just on the western edge of the village of Pouillé in the Cher Valley, which should not be confused with Pouilly-sur-Loire home of Pouilly-Fumé. Joël Delaunay has long made good wines but when his son, Thierry, took over he brought a touch of modernity to the domaine. This 2010 is a good example of the modernity, starting with the screwcap closure. It has very clean, crisp gooseberry and lime fruit. Although not complex it is a delicious aperitif and last night followed on well with our starter of soused herring. 

Wines fom Thierry Delaunay and Domaine Joël Delaunay are imported into the UK by Stevens Garnier.