The Valley of the Loire is well known as one of France’s most beautiful and historic areas. It is also a most interesting wine producing region. Last week, Erla Walther, President of the Algarve Wine Society, led a group of 15 members on a voyage of exploration and discovery in the Loire area.
The party convened on Sunday afternoon in Bourges, where members stayed for the next two nights. Monday morning’s first stop was at the winery Château Tracy in Pouilly-Sur-Loire where some memorable pouilly fumé was found. Lunch was followed by the day’s second winery visit to Château Ladoucette.
Lovely wines
Tuesday started with a short train trip around old Bourges and a guided visit of the spectacular Cathédrale St-Étienne, built at the beginning of the 13th century and featuring some of the finest stained glass in France. A tasting and lunch at the winery Claude Lafond in Reuilly followed. In the afternoon, the Mardon winery in Quincy was visited, after which the merry band decamped to Tavers, right on the north bank of the Loire, where they dined and stayed overnight.
Wednesday morning brought a visit to the nearby Château Cheverny, built between 1604 and 1634 with that simplicity and distinction characteristic of the classical architecture of Henry IV and Louis XIII. After Cheverny, it was time for more wine and the group visited the nearby Domaine de Montcy. In the afternoon, the lovely white wines of Vouvray were explored at the Château Montcour winery.
French wineries
The next day (Thursday) featured more sightseeing and two boat trips. In the morning, a ride on the Cher brought the group to the Château Chenonceau, a jewel of Renaissance architecture built in 1513-21directly over the Cher and later fought over by two of France’s most famous courtesans, Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de’ Medici. Lunch was followed by a visit to the Château de Valmer winery.
Friday was the last day of the tour and it began with a visit to the spectacular gardens at Château de Villandry, which cover seven hectares with the epitome of classical, formal French outdoor architecture. Later that morning, the Chevalerie winery in Bourgueil was visited. In the afternoon, a visit to a final winery, the Domaine Couly Duteil in Chinon, was followed by the Marché Gourmand in Tours.
The Algarve Wine Society has a membership of just over 200, and a waiting list for entry.
If you wish to obtain more information about the organisation, or to enquire about membership, contact the Secretary, Larry Hampton, at hampton@mail.telepac.pt
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