A big thanks to Joseph, Emery, and Santiago regarding your wealth of information on the Loire Valley and wine. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to visit any of the places you three suggested, as I was too busy looking at chateaus, gardens, and history. An extra big thank you to Joseph, as I visited Chenonceau, and remembered what you had said, so I steered clear of the wines.
I was (unfortunately) able to only bring back one bottle of wine (damn the airlines and their carry on rules). The woman we rented the house from in Pontlevoy was nice enough to present us with a bottle of wine at our arrival:
A Sauvignon from Domaine Des Petites Croix (from the Touraine Appellation).
All is not lost with wine from Europe though. At the same time I was in France, Mom was visiting Italy. I had heard about Vino Santo before she had left, so I had asked her if she came across a bottle, to pick me up one. She was nice and picked up two:
1)1997 L' Aiola Vino Santo (from the Siena area)
2)2001 Cinqueterre Sciacchetra
Now I just need to get wine glasses for dessert wines, and I'll be all set.
Thanks again you three, I appreciate the info. It'll definitely be used next time I make it over there, as I'll skip a few of the chateaus that aren't worth another visit, and head to a few of the signs that point their way to "degustation" :)
Ryan