Wines of the Loire Valley
May 4 Saturday 4 pm
Owen of Cavatappi
Few wine regions are as paradoxically beloved and mysterious as France's Loire Valley. Home to the greatest expressions of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc in the world, the twisting banks of the Loire river also host lesser known grape varieties like the shape-shifting Chenin Blanc and countless other, esoteric grapes. From Muscadet in the west to Sancerre in the east, the wines of the Loire form a rainbow of styles across the river valley. Unifying them all thematically is a distinct pronunciation of terroir: minerality first, fruit second.
The whites range from crisp and citrusy to plush and floral, and the reds are intriguingly peppery and brimming with aromas of red cherry and raspberry, medium bodied with bright acidity. There are no oak bombs here, and the wines express themselves with intriguing grace and absolutely sing in the presence of fine cheese and good company.
Please join us for an fantasy tour of this oft overlooked region of Northern France, as we move from one end of the river to the other, sampling the local wines as we go and discussing just what makes each one so unique to anything else in the world. And heck, maybe we'll throw in some fun history lessons as a bonus too...
