For those of you looking to purchase a Loire wine we have summarised the recent vintages in order to try and assist you with your choice. Please discuss your requirements with us before you purchase.
2011 A crazy year in terms of weather conditions. We started with some very warm prolonged spring weather which allowed the berries to develop much quicker than normal, probably by up to 4 weeks. As the summer progressed the weather slowly deteriorated to some damp rainy periods throughout the region in August/early September. It was a difficult time as the whites in particular became prone to rot and some producers picked early fearing they may lose their crop. Some persevered and the remainder of September was warm and dry so for those who picked later the berries were fully mature and with good vineyard management the whites will be as good as 2009. The trick with this vintage because it was so hit and miss is to be selective and find those producers who were able to harvest late with good clean berries. Cabernet Franc grapes are better at surviving damp conditions without too much damage so for the estates picking late the reds of this vintage will have benefited from a longer period on the vine. Early indications are that this will be another good vintage. Lets see.
2010 Good conditions all through the year has helped produce some great wines of character this year.
In Muscadet we had some cold dry spring days and the summer continued to be dry and warm to allow full maturity at harvest so loads of sugar and good balance of acidity.
Again a long hot summer in Anjou and Saumur allowing the grapes to fully mature. Some worries about the lack of rain leaving the berries small and thick skinned so concentrating the sugars. There was some later rains allowing a good balance of the sugars and acid. The harvest period stayed dry to allow picking to be unhurried and well organised. A super year for the sweet wines of the whole region.
Reds in Touraine had plenty of colour at harvest and developed some complex tannins. These will certainly be fruity and will need to be allowed time to develop and round the tannins. Whites again are full of exotic flavours from the well matured berries.
Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and Menetou-Salon along with Quincy and Reuilly have produced some fine wines which are well balanced and aromatic.
All in all a good vintage.
2009 In Saumur, Anjou and Chinon this has been a great year. Better than 2005. The vinification process was noticeably slower this year than normal with a difficult malolactic fermentation. This has led to deliver a cracking year for reds. They have developed a much deeper flavour of jam and compoted fruits. Concentrated more mature tannins. The whites and pressed pinks have benefited from a long hot summer with mature berries. The tastings of the white chenin in 2011 show a good development and the wine should be good for a few years.
2008 It was generally good across the board in the Loire. We have laid down some Chinon and Saumur-Champigny both red Cabernet Franc.
2007 The central region gave us a mediocre year slighter better than the previous year. So stick to drinking Saumur and Anjou now and don't bother laying down.
2006 Go for sauvignons from Sancerre and Pouilly Fume from this vintage which are better than 2005. This was not such a good vintage for Muscadet, Anjou and Saumur.
2005 What can be said about the 2005 vintage? Good hot weather produced some real beauties. Why not open a sweet chenin from the Coteaux de Layon AOC now or if you are looking to extend your cellar these will improve over the next decade.
2004 In 2004 the western AOC's were good but further east the Sauvignons were a lot more varied so stick to good wine makers.
2003 This was one of the great Loire vintages. Both the reds, particularly, and the white chenins are well balanced with lots of fruit and as good as 1997 vintage.
2002 This was a great year for dry white chenin blanc wines better than the 1996 vintage. These wines can be laid down in the short term. As an example look for Savennieres a lovely bone dry wine from the AOC on the river just south of Angers. This is vigorous full bodied and supremely elegant and offers a bouquet of lime blossom, fern and jasmine.
We hope you find a wine that will encourage you to visit us in the Loire valley and extend your enjoyment of the many amazing wines on offer. If you would like some specific help, please email us.
