Tour The World’s Best Vineyards
Category: Loire Wineries
The Château de Targé had been the hunting lodge of the personal secretaries, father then son, for the French kings Louis XIV, then XV, since 1655. It has remained in the family ever since, and today, the direct descendant Edouard Pisani-Ferry, a qualified engineer in agronomy, runs the vineyard and the winery.
In the center of Saumur, close to the century-old reputed vineyard, Bouvet-Ladubay welcomes you to its cellars. Along its 5 mile long series of galleries, excavated in the “tuffeau” stone, you will discover that for Bouvet-Ladubay, wine is a living art which needs to be elaborated with wisdom, mixing tradition and advanced technology. Bouvet-Ladubay has become the first exporter of SAUMUR BRUT (extra-dry) today and remains a luxurious home-made product above all. On its premises, where “Excellency” is regarded as a reference, Bouvet-Ladubay displays for you all the stages of the making of its vintage wines, from the first fermentation to the labeling of the bottles. You will appreciate the flavors when tasting.
Of the 2000 hectares of the Chinon vineyard, Couly-Dutheil vinifies some 130 hectares, of which 90 are their own property located over the three production areas of the appellation. If the quality of the soils, amongst the best in Chinon, contributes to the renown of Couly-Dutheil, their quest for quality in the selection of vintages and love for perfection in maturing adds to their prestige.
Our family has been Sancerre wine makers for 10 generations. Our estate is located in the famous village of Chavignol renowned for its wines (from sloping and well-exposed hillsides) and its goat cheese, the “Crottin de Chavignol”. In 1950, the Henri Bourgeois estate consisted of 2 hectares. Today, his sons have expanded the Domaine to 65 hectares of vines, judiciously situated among the best slopes of Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé.
The winegrowing tradition has been perpetuated in the Chotard family for over two centuries. Currently Daniel and Bridget Chotard manage the estate and produce several award winning wines. Their vines cling to the Sancerre region’s clay-limestone slopes. “Our Sancerre is authentic and bold. We respect the uniqueness of its AOC terroir so you can fully savour all it has to offer.”