Visit to Loire Valley

Go to the Cave Insolite in Montlouis, write down the names of the wines they carry (including their own, which is extraordinary), and go see them all.

In Vouvray, go to see Domaine Huet. Ask them for a tour of the excaved caves (will depend on how much time they have) and they have a tasting room where they will pour several wines for you, with staff that speaks English. If you want to meet Noel Pinguet himself he does not speak English.

They will even sell you some wine at a good price, that you can take with you to drink while on your trip.

They will appreciate if you get an appointment first.

If you have the time, take the route uphill to see Le Clos de Bourg. Lovely vineyard.

s.

I must agree that the wineriwes in the Loire are by and larbge good places to learn adntaste. The notable exception isthe wineriy at Chenoncwaux which is perhaps the most commercial tasting room in France. On the other hand the tasting room in Amboise at the base of the chateau is excellent and will give a good sampling of what is available in the area.

For Saumur, Domaine Filliatreau has good wines, an interesting (cave) site, and friendly tasting room.

For Vouvray, stop at the tourist office and get their map if you want to find Huet easily.

Sheila

The Maison du Vin in Saumur is a good place to taste, they have a wide selection of local wines. Otherwise Huet is of course a good suggestion.

I could give other suggestions but have no idea who speaks English. However I might point out that most French people do appreciate it when you try to speak their language even if you massacre it. And of course most winemakers have picked up at least a smattering of English over the years.

-E

Two vignerons who do speak reasonably good English, as evidenced on their recent trip through the US, are Rene Mosse in Anjou and François Pinon in Vouvray. I also heartily recommend this latter destination as his wines from the past few years have been among the most memorable tastes I've had (and he's a really nice guy). Also Matthieu Baudry, the son of Bernard Baudry in Chinon, speaks good English and is a very nice person. Baudry is IMO one of the top producers of Cabernet Franc in the Loire Valley to boot.

Mark Lipton