On 19th August we were pleased to co-opt our Chairman, David Rossell, to present his "Tales of the Riverbank" - a journey along the River Loire tasting wines from the area.

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Stretching for more than 1,000 kilometres from the heart of central France to the Atlantic coast, the Loire is the country's longest river, bordered by magnificent châteaux, historic towns, and an extraordinary variety of vineyards.

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Often called the "Garden of France", the Loire region offers a remarkable diversity of  landscapes, climates and grape varieties, from the cool, maritime influence near the Atlantic to the more continental conditions further inland, each area producing wines with their own distinctive character.

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These are the wines we tasted, with a brief description for each (all wines apart from the Welcome Wine were sourced from the Wine Society).  

The welcome wine was a Crémant de Loire sourced from Lidl at £8.99 (marked as a very pleasant wine and good value)

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1. Muscadet de Sevres et Maine Sur Lie 2019  £12:50
Grape: Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet).
It is aged on the lees (sur lie) for 33 months to provide a creamy texture, rich body, and complex flavours, like bread or nuts

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2. The Wine Society's Exhibition Pouilly-Fumé  2023  £20:00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc (as is Sancerre), known locally as Blanc Fumé.
Flinty soils give the wine its famous smoky, gunflint aroma and crisp, dry fruit.

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3. The Wine Society's Crémant de Loire (non-vintage)  £13:95
Grapes: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc (adds high acidity and fruit notes), and Cabernet Franc. 
Aging: 12+ months on its lees before release.     
Lemon, green apple, quince, white peach, and a touch of brioche or honey.
Made for the Wine Society by Gratien & Meyer, Saumur

                          

4. Touraine Perle de Rosée, Domaine de la Renaudie  2025   £11:95
Grapes: Pinau d’aunis (Chenin noir), Grolleau
Peppered strawberry and raspberry fruited, cranberry and green peppercorn. Steely, minerally and fresh.

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5. Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil  2025  £10:95
Grape: 100% Cabernet Franc
Fermented in steel, no oak is used, giving a light to medium bodied red wine 
Taste: Red berry fruits, violet perfumes with soft tanins, easy drinking brasserie-style wine, drink young and chilled.

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6. Clos de Cordeliers, Saumur Champigny  n/v   £13:95
Grape: 100% Cabernet Franc
Fermented in steel, no oak is used, giving a light to medium bodied red wine 
Taste: Red berry fruits, blackcurrants with subtle spice and herbaceous notes with lively acidity

7. The Wine Society's Chinon   2025  £9:95
Grape: 100% Cabernet Franc
Fermented in oak barrels 
Nose: Fresh blackberry and redcurrants, white pepper spice
Taste: Red berry fruits, blackcurrants with subtle spice and herbaceous notes with lively acidity

8. Coteaux du Layon Saint Aubin   n/v   £17:00
Grape: 100% Chenin blanc, hand picked grapes to select noble rot
Ageing: Fermented in cooled glass—lined underground vats for freshness, matured on the lees
Nose: Honey, butter, perhaps marmalade
Taste: Sweet honeyed character with gentle acidity

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Thanks to Sue Rossell for providing the half-time buffet