A Terrific Loire Valley Tasting

Well here we are, only 6 days into the New Year and I’ve already experienced heavenly wines!  In fact, could turn out to be some of my favorite wines of the year, already!!  And the best part, shared with some really outstanding peeps to pair. 

Within the last year I’ve hemmed and hawed about the ‘sleepy’ wine events I’ve attended on a public level.  Folks talking about wine like they write for the Spectator without a clue of what any of the words that they’re actually using mean, along with the idea that they are better ‘tasters’ or that they are real ‘experts’ on the subject when in fact, they’re not.  You know the kind of group…’I only drink Cabernet’  kind.  Oh, and ‘from the Napa Valley, of course!’  Dude, really?  It’ s not for me.  I learn nothing, they actually don’t have much input to give and I walk away feeling bummed that I wasted my time.  And definitely ‘turned off’ by the whole ‘tasting group’ idea after all.
So, with the onset of the new year and a pocket of New Year’s Resolutions myself, I decided to take some of these matters into my own hands and form my own tasting group.  A Girls Tasting Group!  A group that feels comfortable with wine, is knowledgeable enough to speak eloquently about it, yet never acts snotty, stuffy or bratty about the subject.  A group that tears apart different regions of the world and really delves into the grapes, the soil, the region itself and of course, its gastronomic pleasures.  And if the conversation veers from grape juice to children and puppies at any point…no one is upset.  Just a great group of women sharing time, remaining open and educating themselves and others while drinking great wine.  And so…it was formed and last nite, our first adventure. 

From West to East, we covered one of my favorite French regions: 

The Loire Valley 

A region I have always found highly under-appreciated as it is one the most quaffable drinking areas of the world, at least for mypalate to enjoy.  Our ‘tasting’ table was covered with grilled shrimp, roasted asparagus, fresh veggies, a plate full of artisanal cheeses to pair, dips, spreads, crackers and more to pair to the lovely grapes of its region.  And the samplings of wine, from front to back, ended up being one of the most exciting displays of white wine I had seen in a very long time. 

Starting first with the region of Sevre et Maine and the grape Melon de Bourgogne (a fresh, crisp, lean, brite white), we worked our way into Savennieres, Anjou, Chinon, Vouvray, Sancerre and Pouilly.  While the main grapes of the region, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, stole the stage – Cab Franc and the grape Gamay made impressive appearances throughout our tasting.  From some very typical examples of the grape Chenin to some very rare and unique Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc) examples, the tasting was an amazing hit!  And in the end, was just as I had envisioned…Fun, Open, Educational and more than Enjoyable. 
Salut to you, ladies & Here’s to more tastings to come!
Here are some of our favorites from the nite…