This blog began as a record of taking the WSET Diploma, during which I studied and explored wines and spirits made all around the world. Having passed the Diploma and become a WSET Certified Educator, the blog has become much more: a continual outlet for my passion for the culture of wine, spirits, and beer.
I aim to educate in an informal, enlightening, and engaging manner. As well as maintaining this blog to track my latest enthusiasms, I provide educational tastings for restaurants and for private groups. Details can be found on the website, and collaborations are welcome.
Wine is my primary interest and area of expertise and this blog aims to immerse the reader in the history of wine, to understand why wine tastes like it does, and to explore all the latest news. At the same time, beer and spirits will never be ignored.
For the drinker, whether casual or professional, today is a good time to be alive.
All tagged loire
Muscadet is Melon, right? Well, yes—the four Muscadet appellations must be 100% Melon. But the Loire is full of experimental winemakers, so there are other grape varieties planted too though they have to be labelled under as IGP or Vin de France. A brief trip to Nantes saw me sample wines made from Grolleau, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Savagnin, Pinot Gris, and Folle Blanche. This is a much more dynamic area than outside perceptions suggest.
A trip to Touraine in the Loire Valley showed the wonderful range of wines made there: from Chenin Blanc to Cabernet Franc to Sauvignon Blanc to Gamay to Malbec, dry, off-dry, sweet, and sparkling, rosé too. Despite the long history of winemaking in the Loire, the region has seen a lot of changes in the last few decades. Here’s a spotlight on some of the major Touraine appellations and producers to try.
Loire’s dry wines from Chenin Blanc are currently quite fashionable for their high acid, linear, food-friendly style—but that wasn’t always the case. The last 30 years have seen a lot of changes to increase quality: better picking times, less sulphur, longer ageing to make more precise, expressive wines. Understanding Loire Chenin Blanc helps us truly appreciate the style and the quality.
