The perplexing mystery of the Loire's disappearing vineyards ...

Map of the Loire Valley Wines@ProWein 2014

without ACs Bourgueil, Montlouis and Fiefs Vendéens

Sharp eyed observers would have noticed something strange and mysterious about the map used by InterLoire at the 2014 edition of Prowein in Dusseldorf (23rd-25th March) to show the Loire Valley wines – no sign of Bourgueil, Montlouis nor Fiefs Vendéens nor a number of appellations like Cheverny etc.!

Have these décrets been cancelled, have they disappeared in a natural disaster or have the now famous hens of Ingrandes-de-Touraine multiplied and devoured appellation Bourgueil? In the case of the disappearance, as far as  Bourgueil is concerned, must be very recent as the appellation was in rude health as recently as the 15th March 2014 for their annual Fête des Vins à Tours. Furthermore I saw Jacky Blot on his Domaine de la Butte stand and he said nothing about the disappearance of Montlouis...  

Philippe Boucard@Bourgueil invades Tours 15.3.14 

A quick Google search draws a complete blank! However, an email from Philippe Boucard (Domaine Lamé Delisle Boucard) sent yesterday provides a clue:

'Je t' écris pour te dire que je suis très fâché par Interloire qui a fabriqué une carte des vins du Val de Loire qui était affichée à Prowein, où Bourgueil et Montlouis entre autre, ont disparu. Volatilisé , désintégré, éliminé.

Comme sur cette carte il n' est nullement précisé qu' il s' agit des AOC adhérentes à Interloire, le consommateurs lambda, va croire que nous n' existons plus. Il faudrait au moins qu' ils aient l' honnêteté de préciser que ce sont les AOC d' interloire. Pour moi je trouve cela très grave, scandaleux.

Quand penses tu ?*

(* Bourgueil, Montlouis and the Fiefs Vendéens have opted out of InterLoire -Jim.)

Unfortunately difficult to see but detail showing 

absence of Bourgueil and Montlouis

  Map from InterLoire's site showing Bourgueil, 

Montlouis and Fiefs Vendéens before they disappeared

Detail showing both Bourgueil and Montlouis 

An opportunity to find out what has happened to Bourgueil  – Saturday 19th April 2014 Des Poules & des Hommes@Ingrandes de Touraine.

London International Wine Trade Fair: 22nd May 2012

 

Wines of Portugal

A few photos taken amongst the aisles on first day of the 2012 London International Wine Trade Fair.

 France 

Romania 

Empty space@EXCEL

The London International Wine Trade Fair is suffering from the huge success of Prowein that now attracts around three times as many visitors and LIWTF does. A few years ago LIWTF filled all the space available plus had a separate area for spirits exhibitors – DISTIL. Now Distil is incorporated and there is now space in the exhibition hall which is not being used.     

 London City Bond boat 

David Hogg, Jeremy Pearson and Bob May: a trio of gentlemen facing a tough three days welcoming visitors to the LCB boat

Tim Stanley-Clarke: not sure what the distinguished doyen of the Port trade is doing with a £20 note on the Decanter stand. Perhaps best not to ask!!