Author Archives: Simon

Lets hope not. I think they would not be the right sort of organisation to sell wine. It needs a personal touch and an ability to be able to get to know about the wine you buy. Its like supermarkets. … Continue reading →

Well we are back in Uk after a rather elongated and difficult journey from the Loire valley in France. It usuallly takes around six hours with a couple of comfort breaks normally at Rouen and at the lovely Baie de … Continue reading →

Domaine de L'Enchantoir faired badly with the 2012 vintage, BUT and its a big but Pierre was clever with his decisions. Firstly he decided to sell his white grapes of Chardonnay and Chenin blanc to the local sparkling wine house … Continue reading →

As I said yesterday the Chateau de Chaintres Saumur Champigny reds had yields 50% less than the normal levels. The Saumur Chenin appellation faired in the same way with a normal yield of 20-25hl/ha and a yield this year of 10-12 hl/ha. … Continue reading →

Chateau de Chaintres reports a 50% reduced yield from the normal level of 45hl/ha on its Saumur Champigny cabernet franc for the domaine, chateau and des oratorien cuveés. The reasons are as I set out on the two previous blog … Continue reading →

Our winemaker and his wife Pierre and Brigitte van den Boom from Domaine de L'Enchantoir I talked yesterday on the blog about the conditions in the Loire valley, France during the season from the winter months in the new year … Continue reading →

Simon with Richard Desouches our man at Chateau de Chaintres So here is my first report on the 2012 vintage from a Saumur Champigny appellation. Chateau de Chaintres. We tasted with the wine maker and estate director Richard Desouche. So … Continue reading →

Last night we ventured into Le Puy Notre Dame, Loire valley, France for supper at Bouchon Ponot our local restaurant www.restaurant-bouchon-ponot.fr. We enjoy the food and our guests who stay with us at Manoir de Gourin www.manoirdegourin.co.uk also visit the … Continue reading →

I have now arrived in the Loire valley to taste the 2012 vintage and we will start either at Domaine de L'Enchantoir or Chateau de Chaintres. This year the harvest was much smaller in yield and without a good summer … Continue reading →