France, Loire Valley – Private Loire Valley Wine Explorer

Whites of Muscadet

Discover the wines of Muscadet. Muscadet is the perfect wine with fish and being close to the Atlantic it is wonderfully fresh. Contrary to popular belief Muscadet from good vintages and top-quality producers can easily be kept ten years.

A young Muscadet is ideal with a seafood platter, while a grilled fish with the local beurre blanc calls for and older vintage. You will have a presentation of the vineyards of Muscadet, starting at a local boutique grower producer.

Enjoy another tasting before we pause for lunch (included) at a restaurant known for its fish specialties, Chez Clemence sitting just next to the Loire river.

This afternoon, we’ll visit Chateau de Goulaine where you will meet Christophe de Goulaine for a tasting in the kitchen of the chateau.

Return to your hotel late afternoon, evening on own.

Meals B, T, L, T

Angers, Saumur & Amboise

Today we’ll start with a visit to Chateau d’Angers. Founded in the 9th century by the Counts of Anjou, it was expanded to its current size in the 13th century. At the heart of this vast fortress, discover the gardens and the famous Apocalypse Tapestry.

Next, we pause in the Anjou vineyards in Brissac Quince. Anjou is the heart of the Loire Valley and its vineyards. Famous for its gentle climate, it produces a wide range of wines – virtually everything apart from fortified wines. The greatest glories of Anjou’s vineyards are the sweet wines from the Coteaux du Layon and the Coteaux de l’Aubance made from remarkable Chenin Blanc grape, whose birthplace is here.

The past 20 years have seen a renaissance in the making of Anjou’s sweet wines, which are often rich but not cloying because of the balancing acidity.

Enjoy lunch featuring specialties of the region in an authentic troglodyte cave.

This afternoon, we stop at Chateau de Targe in Parnay, and visit the property with the owner, Mr Pisani-Ferry. Along with Chinon, Saumur Champigny is the Loire’s best known red.

Transfer to Amboise and check into your 4* boutique hotel in Amboise.

Evening on own.

Meals B, T, L, T

Overnight Amboise

Chinon & Bourgueil

Enjoy the morning to relax and to discover the village of Amboise. We recommend the Clos Luce, a few yards away from the Royal Castle of Amboise. Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life there until his death in 1519. After you tour his bedroom, office, reception room and kitchen, you can go to the invention room where the most spectacular machines Leonardo invented are
on display.

This afternoon we start with a visit and tasting of Chinon wines at Domaine Pierre Sourdais at Cravant les Coteaux. Pierre Sourdais has built a reputation based on the consistently high quality of the Chinon wines he produces.

In Chinon, Cabernet Franc is dominant and, although up to 10% of Cabernet Sauvignon is authorized, it is rarely used.

Then taste Bourgueil wines at a second estate in the region.

Return to your hotel late afternoon, for a free evening.

Meals B, T, T

Overnight Amboise

Vouvray & Iconic Chenonceau

Today, discover the vineyards of Vouvray. Top Vouvray, especially an older vintage, is one of the great wines of France. Made from Chenin Blanc, the style of Vouvray varies enormously from austerely dry to richly sweet.

We start with a tasting at a leading boutique Vouvray grower & producer.

Following lunch, visit a larger estate such as Domaine Huet in Vouvray followed by a tasting of their wines. Since its founding in 1928, Domaine Huet has been the standard-bearer for great, age-worthy Chenin Blanc.

Finally, visit Chateau de Chenonceau. The unique architecture of the chateau and bridge makes it one of the most original chateaux of the Loire Valley. Chenonceau is related to important French Renaissance women and was offered by King Henry II to his mistress Diane de Poitiers.

Return to your hotel late afternoon, with your own arrangements this evening.

Meals B, T, L, T

Overnight Amboise

Whites & Reds of Sancerre

Today we head towards Sancerre. If spectacular and beautiful vineyards are what you are looking for, then Sancerre is the place for you. Sancerre’s steep vineyards have a grandeur that you will find nowhere else in the Loire. Here and on the other side of the Loire, in Pouilly as well as the smaller appellations of this region, resides the heartland of crisp, dry and minerally Sauvignon Blanc.

The white and red wine has propelled Sancerre from a poor, backward part of France, to the Loire’s best known and wealthiest vineyard. There has been a red wine revolution over the past 15 years as producers have started to take Pinot Noir seriously. The region produces some reds that offer competition to the village appellation wines of Burgundy.

On our way, we’ll stop at a local goat cheese maker and tour their facilities.

Next we will stop at Domaine Henri Bourgeois in Sancerre for a tasting of their wines. For 10 generations, the family has devoted its passion and values to Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir to craft wines of unique expression.

Lunch will be a gourmet food and wine pairing experience in the heart of the village of Sancerre.

Late afternoon check into your boutique hotel in Chavignol or Sancerre, remainder of afternoon and evening on own.

Meals B, T(Cheese), L, T

Sancerre & Pouilly Fume

Enjoy a full day of touring discovering more wines from Sancerre, and of Pouilly-Fume.

In Pouilly-Fumé, only white wines may be made, and the vast majority is planted with Sauvignon Blanc. Pouilly Fumé’s smoky “gunflint” aroma is its trademark, especially notable in wines grown on limestone soils.

Unlike Sancerre, its neighbor on the left bank of the Loire, Pouilly Fumé is dedicated exclusively to the production of white wine, growing Sauvignon Blanc and Chasselas.

At the end of the day transfer to the train station in Sancerre.

Meals B, T, T