2014 & 2015 Muscadet: Contrasting Vintages Ripe for Discovery
France: Loire, featured
, May 2017
If neither the 2014 nor 2015 vintage meets your expectations of Muscadet, then it’s hard to imagine what you could possibly be seeking. And if you still aren’t acquainted with these subtly intriguing, delicious, enormously versatile and ridiculously underpriced wines, there will never be a better opportunity to remedy that.
Vinous Table: Restaurant La Galottière, Loire
France: Loire, Vinous Table
, Jan 2015
On my first day on the Loire to research my recent article on Cabernet Franc I was surprised to hear every winemaker mentioning the same cook, a gentleman they all just called Vincent.
Loire Valley Cabernet Franc
France: Loire, featured
, Dec 2014
Some grapes command great respect in the eyes of consumers; others are hardly known or even ignored. In spite of being part and parcel of many of the most expensive red wines in the world, Cabernet Franc rarely gets the attention it so clearly deserves.
Focus on Loire Valley Chenin Blanc
France: Loire, featured
, Dec 2014
For most tourists, the gentle stretch of the Loire that flows from Tours to Angers conjures visions of castles, stately manor homes and lazy afternoons on a bicycle tour along one of the river’s many tributaries.
Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc
France: Loire, IWC
, Sep 2014
I chaptalized for the first time since 2004, admitted Francois Cotat as we tasted his 2013s from barrel, "and also had a bit of botrytis at the end of the harvest
Best New Wines from the Central Loire
France: Loire, IWC
, May 2010
Perhaps no area in France resists categorization more stubbornly than the central Loire Valley
Focus on Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc
France: Loire, IWC
, Mar 2010
Vintages 2008 and 2007 presented growers at the eastern end of the Loire Valley with a series of challenges at crucial points in their growing seasons, both of which were to some extent mitigated by favorable late summers
2002 Loire Valley Sauvignon Blancs
France: Loire, IWC
, Mar 2004
In recent years I have published regular coverage of excellent sauvignon blanc bottlings from New Zealand and South Africa
Best New Wines from the Loire Valley
France: Loire, IWC
, Nov 1998
Although some 1996 Loire Valley wines have already disappeared from the marketplace, most of the vintage more serious dry reds as well as many whites are now available on retail shelves