Sweet wine from France’s Loire Valley
August 26, 2011
About Dessert Sweet Wine
Best wine supplier in Philippines discusses wine related topics
An enormous amount of wine is created in this vast region, mostly white, but with a good deal of red too. Styles change as you follow the course of the river, according to the grape varieties planted and wine-making techniques practised. But the one thing all of these wines share is that they are made to display freshness and relatively high acidity, and rarely is oak used to ferment or age the wines.
The Loire, like Champagne, is close to the northern limits of commercial grape growing. Long, hot summers are the exception here rather than the rule, and the worry is always whether the grapes will ripen sufficiently. The relatively sharp style of these wines is rather out of favour at the moment, the world seeming to prefer oaky, full-bodied whites and tannic, strong, fruit-driven reds.
Geography and climate
| The Loire valley covers a huge tract of land that follows the river from the Atlantic ocean near Nantes, all the way east and south almost to the Rhône. There is a huge variation in climate and soil.
The Loire splits quite neatly into 3 separate sections: The western Loire, around Nantes, is the home of Muscadet. This is an area of low, sandy hills and the climate is cool. |
In the middle Loire things heat up a little, and the climate is mild with moderate rainfall. The west of this area has a tendency towards the noble rot, and is capable of making some great sweet wines.
The upper Loire is to the extreme northeast of the valley. A more continental climate, summers are hot but short. The soil is a mixture of limestone, sand and chalk, known as “Tufa”.
Grapes
The Loire has a large number of different grape varieties, some of which dominate different parts of the region. They include:
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The great wines of the Loire
The western Loire
This coastal area, the “Pays de Nantes” is the home of Muscadet. The Muscadet grape makes a “neutral” wine. In cool years it can be rather tart. The better Muscadets come from Sèvre-et-Maine to the east of the city of Nantes. When choosing a Muscadet, perhaps the most important thing to look out for on the label is the term “Sur Lie”. This means that the wine has been aged on its “lees”, the mix of yeast cells and grape fragments that remains after fermentation. Sur Lie wines are bottled directly off the lees without filtration and have added fruitiness, a nutty quality and sometimes a little hint of sparkle on the tongue.
The middle Loire
This area includes such well known wine regions as Vouvray, Tourraine and Chinon. A whole range of wines is made in this large area, including red, white, rosé, sweet and sparkling. The great white grape of the region is the Chenin Blanc, which is used for both dry and sweet, sometimes Botrytis-affected wines. Dry Chenin Blanc may appear as Vouvray Sec, Savennières or under a variety of different regional names. This wine can be rather acidic and sharp, but the best examples have a honeyed, buttery taste which becomes more pronounced as they age. Chenin Blanc, even in quite modest bottles, makes one of the longest lived dry white wines.
From AC Coteaux du Layon come some great sweet wines. There is a micro-climate here not unlike that of Sauternes, that creates the conditions for Botrytis cinerea. These wines are luscious and balanced and reasonably priced. Look out for the wines of AC Quarts de Chaume and AC Bonnezeaux, the top two individual ACs within Coteaux du Layon producing brilliant sweet whites.
The middle Loire reds deserve to be better known than they are. AC Chinon produces Cabernet Francs that are fresh with raspberry fruit and an earthy quality. Look for estate bottled examples and there are some bargains to be found at around £6 or £7.00 ($10-$12). AC Bourgueil and St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil produce very similar wines, and the quality is just about as good.
There are fine sparkling wines made in many districts, often signified with the word Mousseux on the label. Sparkling Vouvray is probably the best of the lot, made by the Champagne method and again, reasonably priced. Best producers include Domaine des Aubuisières and Marc Brédif.
The upper Loire
Confusingly, this area is often referred to as the “central vineyards” – confusing, because though roughly in the centre of France, it is the northeastern limit of the Loire Valley. The greatest name of the region is undoubtedly Sancerre. This world famous wine of the region is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, the best of which comes from the chalky hills around the town of Sancerre. At its best, Sancerre is an incredibly vivid, pungent wine, with grassy, gooseberry aromas and plenty of acidity.
| Just across the river lies Pouilly-Fumé, home of very similar wines, though prices are now creeping up to similar levels. Pouilly-Fumé is said to pick up subtle, flinty flavours from Silex, the flint-rich soil of the area.
Red Sancerre is 100% Pinot Noir, and although less common and needing a good sunny vintage to fully ripen, can be very good. Top Sancerre producers include Bourgeois, de Ladoucette, Cotat, Château de Tracy and Crochet. |
Just to the west of Sancerre lies an interesting region: AC Menetou-Salon. This area produces lovely wines using the same grapes, both red and white. Cheaper than Sancerre (and sometimes even better), top producers include Pellé, Chavet and Teiller.
The New World
Undoubtedly the biggest world-wide success for any Loire grape variety is with Sauvignon Blanc. Fine examples are produced in Chile, California, South Africa, Australia and, especially, New Zealand.
It is in New Zealand – more specifically in the Marlborough region of New Zealand – that Sauvignon Blanc has found possibly its greatest expression. The long, cool, dry ripening season and free-draining stony soil seems ideal for the variety. Marlborough Sauvignons are particularly intense: grassy and gooseberry flavours as in Sancerre, but with an added dimension of tropical fruit and really zingy, grapefruit acidity. Top producers include: Isabel, Montana, Cloudy Bay, Jackson Estate, Hunters and Villa Maria. Other areas, in the south of North island are coming on stream with superb wines, as are some suitable areas such as Tasmania, off the south coast of Australia, and cooler areas of Chile and South Africa.
Source: http://www.wine-pages.com/resources/loireexp.htm
Although wines are widely available in most Asian countries, especially in Hong Kong which has eliminated import tariff on wines altogether, the availability of fine vintage wines is still very scarce. Most wine merchants offer big names, young vintages and cheaper wines for everyday consumption. Wine lovers and connoisseurs looking for something special often travel to Clark Pampanga Philippines to do their shopping at this Wine Shop in Manila.
At Yats Wine Cellars we believe that a little bit of knowledge in wine goes a long way to developing expectations in the wines we choose to buy or drink. Without expectation, it is difficult to really enjoy wine to its fullest. With this in mind, efforts are made by Yats Wine Cellars to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for our clients to learn more about wine.
Birthday wine gifts is one of the most popular birthday gifts to give someone living in the Philippines. Fine Vintage wine from Yats Wine Cellars is a sure winner and it does not have to cost a great deal to send someone a bottle in Philippines
To avail of wine catering service of Yats Wine Cellars, just contact this wine supplier in Manila or Angeles Clark Philippines for a meeting to design a theme for the event. The venue for a wine event can be in the privacy of a home, the convenience of an office in Manila for example or in a clubhouse of a subdivision. Wine glasses and accessories necessary for wine service are included in the wine catering service. Moreover, interesting wine notes accompany the wine to help participants enjoy the event even more by learning a little bit about wine while enjoying the party. A wine steward will be present to serve the wine.
There is also an exciting collection of white wine from Burgundy at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Meursault, Chablis, Chassagne Montrachet, Puligny Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne and St. Aubin. Red wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhone are also available with a good depth of back vintages too. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.
Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
(045) 841 4006 / 0922-870-5173 / 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)
YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay
Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com
YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.yatsleisure.com
Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com
Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasions
Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.
www.YatsRestaurant.com
Looking for interesting hotels near Manila Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga?
Trouble free hotels and well recognized hotels in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga
Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers a good place to stay in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga. In offers nice place to have rest in Subic Pampanga outside Manila.
One of the Philippines top hotels in north Luzon.
Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion
www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
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