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LOIRE VALLEY<br />
DISCOVERY<br />
CHÂTEAU D’ÉPIRÉ’S WINERY IS UNIQUELY LOCATED IN A CHAPEL<br />
Over time, 19 appellations have been officially recognised across this extensive area covering<br />
21,400 hectares, along with 8 designations and one PGI. Our report focuses on still white<br />
wines which all come from the same iconic grape variety, Chenin.<br />
Our two first stops are at Château d’Epiré and Domaine des Baumard in the heart of AOC<br />
Savennières, an appellation whose size – a mere 150 hectares farmed by 30 producers in three<br />
villages – is inversely proportional to its uniqueness. The vineyards enjoy good exposure on rocky<br />
outcrops overlooking the right bank of the Loire. Then we will head for the sweet destinations of<br />
Bonnezeaux and Coteaux du Layon, stopping over at Domaine de La Bougrie and Domaine des<br />
Clavières. The last leg of our journey takes us East, to the South of Saumur for a tasting of the<br />
namesake appellation wine at the aptly-named Domaine Lavigne.<br />
CHÂTEAU D’EPIRÉ: A CHURCH WITH NO ALTAR WINE<br />
This prestigious mansion has belonged to the Bizard family since 1882 and five generations<br />
have produced wine here, perpetuating a tradition that is older still. The current owner and<br />
winemaker Paul Bizard explains: “I joined the farm in 2017 after doing a short stint in commerce<br />
beforehand. I worked for multiple retail before going back to study wine”. By 2019, Bizard had<br />
fully taken over running of the estate, after starting with the 2017 harvest. In fact, our team<br />
WINTER 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE<br />
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