SHORT FOOD AND WINE THEMED BREAK
IN THE LOIRE VALLEY
DETAILS OF WINE TOUR PACKAGE
This unique package includes:- 'Two-nights'stay in a charming and private self-catering gîte with esuite double bedroom', comfortable lounge with Satellite TV/DVD, library of books, plus a fully equipped kitchen, situated in the picturesque wine growing village of Le Puy Notre Dame in the heart of the Saumur vineyards. 
Share interesting 'Apéritifs' with us on arrival with a medal winning, chilled bottle, of Sparkling Saumur Brut, recommended by the French daily "Le Monde", as one of the five best sparkling wines in France. Enjoy dinner in our elegant dining room, consisting of a 'five-course' gourmet meal with a menu typical of the Loire cuisine with apéritifs, wine and coffee included. Also part of your break will be a;
Personal tourof a universally acclaimed wine estate in our pretty wine village of Le Puy Notre Dame. We will discover the extensive caves/wine chais, and follow that with a tutoured tasting in. We also provide an attractive folder containing all relevant information on the local wines and Loire Valley appellations and a complimentary bottle of Saumur Brut as a souvenir of your stay. Price €399,00 for two persons (double occupancy) for this unique package! The price assumes 'self-drive' but we can collect and drive you for an additional fee. On the final day a simple lunch or dinner are included but, if you wish, you can choose from several more extensive menus and eat here at Le Clos des Guyons. Alternatively, you can use the self-catering facilities in the apartment. The accommodation uses the two gites at Le Clos des Guyons:-'Le Sauvignon', 'Le Chenin' The price is for a three-day, two-night, break for two persons.
SAMPLE MENU
Apéritifs de Pays de la Loire and flute of award winning 'Saumur Brut' from La Domaine de la Paleine
Strawberry/Marinated Salmon Salad with a rare Rosé wine, Cabinet de Saumur, from La Domaine des Guyons
Foie Gras and accompanying glass of 'Coteaux de Saumur' from La Domaine de la Paleine
Roast Pork cooked in Prunes/Port, with seasonal vegetables, and 'Odessy' a rich, oaked Saumur Red from la Domaine des Guyons
Cheeseboard with our own walnuts
Coffee, Chocolates and Digestives
We may eat either in our larger dining room which will seat between 12/14 guests or, depending on numbers and the time of year in our smaller salon in front of the huge, stond fireplace, outside in the courtyard or on the terrace or even in the old wine chais in front of the huge old oak barrels.
The region teams with other restaurants from simple Auberges and Brasseries to Michelin stared establishments in Saumur and Angers encompassing everything in between. The village restaurant, "le Bouchon Ponot" is very highly thought of, attracting clients from far and afield, quite an achievement for a small village restaurant. It provides excellent French local cuisine. We have also negotiated a free aperitif for anyone booking a wine tour.
LE PUY NOTRE DAME
High Point of the Saumurois
Le Puy Notre Dame is the largest wine producing commune in the Saumurois. The wine making tradition can be traced back to the 6th.C. and commercial winemaking received a boost with the growing importance and the renaming of the church in the 12th.C. However the absence of good roads meant that trading opportunities remained limited. Trade, taxes and duties in the 15th C depended on the religious community and the development of the River Thouet as a trading highway. In the 17th.C. the "Ponot" vineyard was 600 hectares and until the 19th.C. almost all wines were white from the Chenin grape. In the 1950's the insatiable demand for Rosés led to much of the old vineyard being removed and replaced with "grolleau, a local grape suited for rosés and then Cabernet Franc which was already grown in the nearby communes of Chinon and Bourgueil. 
With the decline in the market for rosé, (although ironically the market has recovered dramatically in the last few years), pioneering winemakers realised that they could make excellent reds from the same grape and generations of dedicated winemakers, all committed to quality wine led to the granting of the Saumur appellation, giving the vineyard a new impetus. Since the 14th. June 2006 the authorities have further recognised the quality of the wine by granting a new appellation, Saumur-Puy Notre Dame. Today there are over 70 winemakers in the three communes of Le Puy, Brossay and Le Vaudelnay exploiting 1500 hectares of vineyard. The little fellow at the top of the page, drinking from the barrel, is a copy of a 14th.C. carving in the church and is the emblem of the wine makers of Le Puy Notre Dame.
Guest comment
"We are so appreciative of everything you've done for us during our stay at Le Clos des Guyons. We have felt so much at home and we've been so comfortable here. A highlight of our trip was Brian's excellent Wine Tour and Tastings in the local wineries! I know in years to come Keith will be telling stories about the wine processes, the caves and all the memorable wines we have sampled. That was really a very special time for us! I know we will take away with us dinner last night in Saumur. We loved sharing it with both of you - wonderful food, delightful surroundings and non-stop conversation - all was a special evening".
Sharon and Keith, Oregan, USA. See all our visitor Comments about Le Clos des Guyons
Le Puy Notre Dame is famous for its ancient collégial church reputed to house a remnant of the belt of the Holy Virgin in addition it is one of the prettiest and most reknown villages in the region being not only a "Petit Cité de Caractère" but also a "Village de Charme and a "Ville Fleurie".
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