FRA_GG_N45-WEB

LOIRE VALLEY
– STYLES –
The untamed, sometimes treacherous Loire River
forms a visual focal point. When it breaks
its banks, floods the surrounding areas and
reveals its amazing sandbanks, it creates a
lasting impression. Meandering through
landscapes bathed in almost perfect light, past chateaux
and magnificent historic monuments, some of the
1,006 kilometres of France’s longest river lie at the heart
of a wine region which can produce over 80 appellations
of red, rosé, dry white, sweet, semi-sparkling and Crémant
wines due to its outstanding diversity of vineyard sites.
The list also includes more under-the-radar off-dry wines
which have garnered incredible success in France and
abroad, both white and rosé. Their popularity stems
from the distinctive features of their vineyard sites and
grape varieties, ranging from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet-
Sauvignon, Côt, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gris and
Pineau d’Aunis for Rosé d’Anjou and Cabernet Franc and
Cabernet-Sauvignon for the Cabernet d’Anjou to Chenin
for the Vouvray. These prime assets are coupled with
expertise and proficiency in winemaking. Fine-tuning
balance in a wine marked by the natural sweetness of the
grape requires freshness and acidity. Without this acidity,
the sweetness would dominate and the wine would lose
its palatability. Cabernet Franc preserves this acidity. For
off-dry white wines, Chenin is characterised by remarkable
acidity and freshness. “The wine region is located in the
northern part of France, which from a weather perspective
implies cool nights and cooler summers”, says Pierre-Jean
Sauvion, chairman of the communications committee at
the Loire Valley wine marketing board (InterLoire) and
winemaker at Maison Sauvion. “The weather makes it
possible to produce wines with inherent freshness because
high temperatures tend to strip wines of their acidity”.
The following are some of the Loire Valley gems that
effortlessly demonstrate how residual sugar can be an
invaluable asset.
A glass amidst Coteaux-du-Layon
FAMILLE BOUGRIER: A LEGACY OF HISTORY
The Bougrier family is the affectionate custodian of an
estate which perfectly epitomises a business handed
down over the years with passion and talent. Since 1885,
through 6 generations, the Bougrier family has displayed
Nicolas Bougrier and Lionel Métaireau, the cellar master at
Caves de la Nantaise
AUTUMN 2021 GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE 59