Loire Valley Wines - A Tasting Preview

My next wine tasting class with the Mount Airy Learning Tree (MALT) will feature wines of the Loire River Valley.  The first of two classes on this region is sold out, but there are a few spaces open for the second class on April 1. See the link below to sign up:

https://learningtree.ccwis.com/CourseStatus.awp?&course=14WCK08B

Famed for its dazzling, picturesque and historic country chateaux, the Loire Valley often plays second fiddle to the more prestigious Bordeaux and Burgundy wine regions. Yet this area of central France, bisected by the country's longest river, boasts the largest wine growing region and offers a wide selection of white, red, rose and sparkling wines at affordable price points that cater to all manner of palates. Extending over 600 miles from the heart of France to the Atlantic Ocean, the Loire River forms a climatic boundary between northern and southern France providing conducive conditions for viticulture that otherwise would not survive at such a northern latitude. Join us as we embark on a tasting tour of some of the notable wine districts and chateaux of this delightful and intriguing region of France.

Without giving away too many details, here's just a short preview of the wines we will be sampling:

First, we'll start off with a sparkling wine (petillant, in French), also known as a Cremant de Loire.  Bubblies that originate from outside the Champagne region cannot legally be referred to as champagnes. Rather, they are usually called "Cremant" as in "Cremant de Loire" or "Cremant de Bourgogne".  These are often very good value alternatives to  high-priced champagnes.  We'll be toasting the end of winter with a top Cremant de Loire vinified with chenin blanc grapes.

Next will be a Muscadet from the western Loire region Sevre et Maine near where the Loire River runs into the Atlantic Ocean.  These wines are famed for their pairing with shellfish.

The third white wine we'll sample hails from the Sancerre region which, along with Pouilly Fume, represent some of the finest Sauvignon Blancs to be had from France.

As for red wines, we will begin with a couple of Cabernet Francs which is the predominant red grape of the Loire. Indeed, if the grape is not mentioned on the label of a red wine from the Loire, it most assuredly will be Cabernet Franc.  The first one comes from a producer known for his natural wine-making techniques, and though he doesn't claim to be part of the natural wine movement, his wines, in fact, reflect the special characteristics of these wines.  The second Cab Franc will be the top ranked red from a recent New York Times review of Loire Valley wines.

The 6th and final wine is a Cot, which is the local term for Malbec.  If you're familiar with the robust, hearty Malbecs from Argentina, get ready for something a little different.  This is also a naturally produced red wine, from the Touraine appellation.

Stay tuned for a full description of these wines and further Loire recommendations following the classes in a few weeks.