We visited the Loire with our friends Mick & Beryl Guyatt and members of the Brentwood Wine Appreciation Society. Beryl put a lot of effort into organising wine tasting tours.
Brett Jones was our tour manager
This was the agenda:
Sunday 5th June - Meet at Shenfield Station bus stop for departure at 06.00 sharp. We will board the 8.10 ferry from Dover ready to take breakfast in Langans Restaurant if booked. We expect to arrive in Sancerre early evening for two nights stay at the Hotel Panoramic where dinner will be served.
Monday 6th June - Our first tasting is at Henri Bourgeois and lunch is provided at a Bistro nearby. In the afternoon we visit the Le Prieure de Saint Ceols at Menetou Salon then return to the Hotel Panoramic for Dinner.
Tuesday 7th June - Depart after breakfast to visit Chateau Chenonceau and lunch in the Orangerie. There will be an afternoon tasting at Montlouis. Our next four nights will be spent at Saumur at the Hotel Adagio Dinner at Hotel.
Wednesday 8th June - Our morning visit to Langlois-Chateau for a tasting and buffet lunch. In the afternoon we visit Saumur-Champigny (Fillatreau) for a tasting. Then return to the Adagio where the evening is free for us to choose one of the many restaurants in Saumur or maybe eat at the Hotel.
Thursday 9th June - Visit Chinon and the Domaine de la Noblaie followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Our afternoon tasting will be at Couly Dutheil. We return to the Adagio for dinner together that evening.
Friday 10th June - To Layon and Chateau Soucherie for a tasting and lunch. In the afternoon we visit Savennieres - Domaine du Close.
At Domaine du Close owner/winemaker Evelyne de Pontbriand (above) walked us to her old Chenin blanc vineyard.
She insisted that she did not make Chenin from these vines, only Savennieres!
Saturday 11th June - We leave Saumur for Rouen and the Hotel de Dieppe where we dine together for the final evening. En route we shall visit Chateau de 1'Aulee near Azay le Rideau for a tasting and lunch.
Sunday 12th June - after breakfast we proceed to Calais for an afternoon crossing and expect to be back in Brentwood around 5pm.
