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Between April and July 2007, I visited Loire Valley, in France.
I met some wine makers and I enjoyed their wines and their vineyard culture.
It's great, speaking with all these guys, about the wines they make and how they do it. It is now well into 2009, and I've been back in France to continue seeking the "secret" wine discoveries in the French countryside.
You'll find in the next pages commentary and pictures of my best discoveries, classified by geographical region.
INFORMATION FOR TRANSLATION
Feel free to ask for translation documentation and your press books from french to english and english to french. (€/$) Click here
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Wine map of France
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VIGNERONS INDEPENDANTS
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The role of the genuinely "Independant Vigneron" or winemaker in France has grown slowly over the years. He is the man who works in the vineyard, in his cellar and certainly in his office and sales territory. In this role he must be totally dedicated to everything from the vine to the bottled wine. In most of the worlds markets the wines from France are recognized by the famous names of wines from the regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhone Valley. But with the developement of "varietal labeling" the more remote growing regions in France were lost in marketplace, especially to the "new world"*.
Yet there were still growers and winemakers who needed to sell their wines beyond the local village and town. In many cases they did not qualify for the appellation system as it was constructed. However, they were growing the grapes that are well-known in the markets of the new world. The Independant Vigneron, once again, focused on quality and began to produce excellent wines named after the grapes growing in his vineyards. Names we all recognize, despite not knowing the quiet region where they are grown. With adjustments in the regulations controlling of wine production, these grower/winemakers could now produce and sell to the world, his wine labeled "Chardonnay", "Sauvignon Blanc"; or "Cabernet Sauvignon" as well as other grqpes we have come to know and love.These wines are labeled "Vin de Pays"; and while this means "country wine" most are very good values...supported by the Independant Vigneron's dedication to the quality (and style) of French wines.
*New world is the wine producing/wine consuming countries of the western hemisphere.
Notice: Very few of the winemaker/growers written about on my website are broadly disributed in the US. Some not at all, and others may only be in a location or two, usually on the east coast. If a reader would like to contact a particular winemaker/grower just let me know
(see my contact page) and I will make sure the party you are interested in gets in touch with you. |
PATRIMOINE DES TERROIRS
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"An Association of Vignerons"
This is an organization with producer-members who share a protective philosophy about the nature, the soils and the traditions that his or her vines grow in.
They are determined to protect the prestige and the authenticity of the wines of France as known and respected around the world. These growers and winemakers are extremely sensitive to the power of modern chemicals. Therefore they are wary that the use of such chemicals can disturb and even erode the "terroirs" the vines flourish in, robbing the vines of the richness and certainly the respect of French viticulture.
These individuals are anxious to share their knowlegde and experiences with each other, thus continuing to protect the prestige and the dignity and the history of French wine.
As an organization the "Patrimoine des Terroirs" has arranged for their customers, anywhere in the world, to order their wines in lots, large or small, mixed selections or all the same, providing the customer exactly what he needs.
For more information and a complete book listing the producers and the regions... click here |
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TASTE THE WINE and STAY IN THE GUEST ROOMS
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© FS
I have created a special logo to indicate the wine makers who rent guests rooms in their estate. You will find in these places a warm welcome and comfortable accommodations.
On my site you'll see the LOGO in the window for each owner who is prepared to welcome you into the guest rooms he has available. In this way you will get to know, in an intimate way, the winemaker, his estate and certainly his wines. I can help you if you click onto my "contact" page then send me an Email. I will help you reserve comfortable accommodations on the estate you plan to visit. ...Alan
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