We can devise a course for the total novice and at least you will be able to impress your friends with your wine tasting technique and your knowledge of French grape varieties and regions.

For the wine buff, we can examine, in depth, the myriad appellations and types of wine which exist in the Loire Valley.  Alternatively you may want to combine your stay with enough free time to visit the famous Loire Chateaux, illustrious names like Saumur, Usse, Azay, Brissac, Brezé, Montreuil Bellay, etc. Or, to visit the impressive markets which abound in the region, plus perhaps shopping in the historic, departmental city of Angers, or the charming riverside Château town of Saumur.  All this can be factored in and we will escort you and collect you at a pre-arranged time.

As we are in the centre of the ancient province of Anjou we obviously tend to concentrate much of our efforts on the 26 appellations of that region, but the famous names of Sancerre, Chinon, Bourgeuil etc., are only a short drive away and are all included in our overview of the Loire. You will obviously want to visit some of the prestigious wineries of the region, from the big sparkling wine houses in Saumur like Bouvey-Ladubay or Ackerman Remy-Pannier, to the queen of the Chateau du Layon, Chateau Fesles, but we also tend to concentrate on the hidden France, as, to be perfectly honest, you do not need us in order to pay a visit to all these major properties as they all have highly professional marketing and tasting operations. Totally different are the gems of  small wineries hidden away in the countryside where the vignerons continue to make their own wines, in their own way, without worrying too much what criteria the wine press and the supermarkets try to impose.  But, rather they continue making their product as an extension of their personalities.

You have no need to use your car, as we will take you to all degustations, cave visits etc.  This also means you can take advantage of low cost air travel and be collected from our main, local, airports like Tours, Nantes-Atlantique and Poitiers.

During many years  of working in the wine business I came to love the charming complex wines of the Loire, in particular the extra-ordinary different styles of wine made from the same grape encompassing such extremes as the luscious Coteaux du Layon and the aridly dry Saveniérres and, in addition, what makes wine tasting here so different, is the Angevin approach to wine; the way that wine is such an integral part of everyday life that, quite often, I have the feeling that it is difficult for them to understand exactly what all the fuss is about, after all, to the Angevin, wines are meant for drinking and enjoying, preferably in a social setting and particularly with the  famous Loire Valley cuisine. 

Thus, I hope we will be able to show you some of the pleasures we get when we think of the wines of the Loire Valley.

*"That's Brian's excuse, personally I believe that he thinks Sundays are reserved for long, three hour lunches in some  favourite restaurant!"- Sheila  

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