Valentines' is rapidly approaching...
Consider this your public service announcement (warning) that you should get your you-know-what together. Valentines' is coming!
Recently we were sent a lovely bottle of bubbles and some unique cookies that made us immediately think of Valentines. A bottle of Le Garenne NV Sparkling (Crémant de Loire).
Cremant de Loire is the appellation for sparkling wines from the heartland of the Loire Valley where Chenin Blanc is the principal grape. They also allow Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pineau d’Aunis, Grolleau Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The appellation was introduced in 1975, as an alternative to the wines of Champagne.
This lovely wine is produced using méthode traditionnelle instead of the bulk or tank methods. The Maison was founded in 1859 and is now being crafted by Meredith Feschotte of the Loire Valley. The initial Fermentation is done in Stainless Steel using natural yeasts. The wine then spends another nine months in the bottle aging after the second Fermentation. The wine is a blend of seventy percent Chenin Blanc, twenty percent Chardonnay, and ten percent Cabernet Franc all from plots in Vaudelnay, on the south bank of the Loire, one hundred meters above sea level on Jurassic soil, combining flint and iron oxide.
A soft golden wine with firm small bubbles. A blend of Chardonnay 20%, Chenin Blanc 70%, and Cabernet Franc 10%, this smoothly textured sparkling wine is full with a cream color, and a delicate nose with aromas of pear, white fruit, and citrus. The fine mousse bubbles led to notes of stone fruit, white florals, honey, and almonds. On the palate tones of white fruit, citrus, a tinge of honey, and almonds and slightly acidic.
We enjoyed this tasty drop with wine friends on a lovely spring like day with the delightful cookies of Les Roses du Moulin de la Ferme Biscuits au Champagne that were thoughtfully included with the wine.
It was all very well received!
As the team all had a taste and a taste with a cookie, there was a unanimous thumbs-up across all the tasters. The Le Garenne Crémant de Loire earns four stars and a rating of 6-7 on our Winewalkabout scale.
A great bargain sparkling that drinks above its price point.
Available at Pierre Hourlier - Fairgrounds Discount Beverage - Buywine Online.com - Pearsons Wine & Spirits
Cheers, and don't forget to treat someone special for this upcoming Valentine's.
