Planning my 50th birthday to France and I’ve never been to Europe. We are going to be staying in the Loire for a week and have several questions about visiting winemakers and tasting. Do I have to make a reservation? Do all winemakers welcome foreigners for tastings? Besides Baudry and Raffault, where should I taste? Thanks in advance for the info!
See Tessa at Roche aux Moines in Savennieres.
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We had a great trip in the Loire last year. Although not with a focus on wineries… We did, however, enjoy the visit at Huet very much.
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I haven’t been there myself, but recommended some producers for a group of friends who went there a few years ago.
Surprisingly enough, they visited quite many of those - and they singled out Couly-Dutheil (a quite large producer in Chinon) as one of the best visits. You might get superb wines from many smaller producers, but it sounds the visit itself was so great at Couly-Dutheil that I’d want to go there myself! (And their top tier range of Chinon can be darn awesome, too).
Huet, Baudry and Raffault, yes, definitely.
Some other terrific names:
Clau de Nell (between Saumur and Angers)
La Porte Saint Jean (Saumur)
Moulin Touchais (Saumur)
Yannick Amirault (Bourgueil)
Clos Naudin / Foreau (next to Huet)
Charles Joguet (Chinon)
Domaine des Baumard (Savennieres)
Chidaine (Tours)
Herve Villemade (Cheverny)
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