The final day of the trip was one of contrasts and surprises! The day started at Schloss Johannisberg with a glass of the prestigious Riesling and a privileged visit to their cellars – both the impressive ‘new’ (1724) cellars and the old cellars used by the Benedictine monks. After viewing...

Given the French love of place it was inevitable that smaller, sub-regions should gradually be distinguished within the sprawling appellation of Touraine. Some of these seem to represent little more than local pride, but Chenonceaux represents something special. It is the best wine of the Cher Valley, made on the...

AWE wine trip thoughts. I have just spent four days in the Loire wine region of France with five fellow wine-educators, three of whom are currently studying for their Master of Wine exams. We visited seven wine makers who gave us tours of the vineyards and wine-making facilities as well...

AWE visit to Leduc-Frouin. Vins d’Anjou & Coteaux du Layon Halfway between Saumur and Anjou is one of the most historic areas for viticulture on the Loire. In the heart of the Haut Layon we find husband and wife team Antoine and Nathalie Leduc of Domaine Leduc-Frouin. Antoine Leduc whisked...

AWE members’ visit to Domalne de la Noblaie, Chinon. “This is how it should be!” claimed Dr Helen Savage as the group stood in the new winery, built in 2012, at Domaine de la Noblaie. Why? Perhaps because there was an authentic feel created by all the tanks, vats, chutes...