Loire winery visits: Suggestions needed

Carissimi, we are going to the Loire for 5 days in mid-July.  I don't intend to pass all my time staring at chateaux.  I want to go to some interesting and welcoming wineries.  Suggestions, names, numbers, etc., most welcome.

Nice. 

Where's the wine?

Comments

[Mike Tommasi]

Easy :-)

If you fear missing anything significant and want to find everything in one place, do visit Manuela Chidaine's winery in Montlouis, Cave Insolite, on the banks of the Loire, a most judicious selection of the best of the area!!! That may give you a hint of what you want to visit.

Domaine Patrick Baudouin, at Princé in Chaudefonds sur Layon, say hi to him for me and get him to open the fabulous Cuvée Maria Juby as well as his extraterrestrial Le Sens du Chenin (>600g/l RS!!!). +33-241680119

Also in Anjou - Coteaux du Layon area Domaine Jo Pithon for his botrytis, Domaine Philippe Delesvaux, and Chateau Pierre Bise of Claude Papin.

In Jasnièes area, don't miss the incredible wines of Eric Nicolas (Domaine de Bellivière)
in Lhomme +33-243445997.

In Montlouis, Domaine François Chidaine, an incredible range of terroir and wines, all delicious, +33-247451914, he also makes great Vouvray sparklers at a low price.

In Quarts-de-Chaume AOC absolutely see Chateau de Suronde of Francis Poirel for top botrytis.

Around Bonnezeaux, Domaine de la Sansonniere of Mark Angeli (fantastic).

In Poully Fumé territory see Didier Dagueneau. absolutely top sauvignon.

In Saumur area the great Clos Rougeard for its reds.

In Bourgueil Chinon area Domaine Breton.
In Cheverny Touraine area the Clos du Tue-Boeuf of Puzelat, Domaine de la Charmoise of Henri Marionnet.

For low priced (<8€) but incredibly good wines, unbeatable really:
Domaine Gibault (Touraine) for rich Sauuvignons.
Domaine La Grange aux Belles of Marc Houtin for great Chenin Blanc.

That's for a start.

Be aware that far too many vignerons in the Loire deal with the particularly hard weather conditions there (remember this is a full 2 degrees north of Ottawa!) by harvesting bad grapes early and chaptalizing. The names I gave you do not use sugar and take risks.

have fun

Mike

[th]

Wow. What a great list! Merci bien, mon ami.

[AC]

Don't forget to visit the wax museum @ Chenonceaux

[Ronald]

you told me back in TigullioVino that you're visiting Loire and i almost forgot about it..

Mike literally listed some of the best in Loire Valley. For me, do not miss that Coteaux de Layon area. Those sweet wines are among the best..

My addition:

Domaine du Closel-Chateau des Vaults
Tel:+33 (0) 241 728 100
mobile: 33 (0) 611 879067
email:closel@savennieres-closel.com
owner: Evelyn de Jessey, Vicomtesse G.de Pontbriand (its a great opportunity to meet the remaining of french royalties, she's a great person)

Chateau La Ragotiere
Tel: 33 (0) 02 40 3360 56
email: freres.couilloud@wanadoo.fr
owner: M. Vincent DUGUE

do you intend to go as far as Sancerre too?

in Angers, back when i was there doing my semesters, there's an irish bar called 'James Joyce', the independant vignerons always have their food and wine tastings there, i am not sure if they are still doing it now but you can check with tourist office.

[Ronald]

Also check Bertrand Celce blog at http://www.wineterroirs.com/, he has some good articles with photos of some wineries he visited in Loire Valley

[Fredric Koeppel]

Marc Ollivier at Domaine Pepiere, wonderful, longlived Muscadet. & Jo Pithon in Anjou, he looks like an Elvis impersonator gone to seed, but the wines are stunning.
Angers is a lovely city.

[Strappo]

Ladies and joims, thank you very much for your excellent suggestions. I will follow up tomorrow with the ones rather close to Amboise, where we'll be staying.

[susanna tezzon]

caro strappo
concordo con Mike, Pierre Bise-Mark Angeli e
Didier Dagueneau sono tra i miei preferiti.
ciao e divertitevi
susy

[Mirco Mariotti]

Dear Strappo, with all these suggestions I think you won't be bored...
"Magic" Mike says me about "Le Sens du Chenin"... if you'll meet Patrick Baudouin show him that ;-)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31470271@N06/3642400262/in/set-72157619966717242/
Meanwhile I'm writing him for presentation...
Have a nice trip!

Mirco

[Mirco Mariotti]

Sorry for "stupid" message, I've not note the date... ;-)

Mirco