Lovely Loire ~ May Wine Region of the Month

For most American wine lovers, the Loire Valley, known as the Garden of France and the Cradle of the French Language, is still a hidden jewel amongst the crown heads of state, Bordeaux and Burgundy. But these remarkably vibrant and exciting wines represent some of the best values on the planet. The historical lure of the Loire Valley itself is shrouded in mystery, legend and of course, vines. The landscape of the Loire Valley and its many cultural icons are a direct creation of the Renaissance and the Age of the Enlightenment, which has seeped into our own on mythology and cultural ideals. What the the Loire Valley also exudes are its bountiful châteaux, numbering more than three hundred. These castle fortifications began construction in the 10th century when the French kings needed to consolidate their power base, including the first king of France, King Francois I. The presence of nobility in this lush, fertile valley began attracting the very best landscape designers to augment these great chateaux, as well as encompassing the historic towns and villages, and of course, the vineyards. So take a brief sojourn back in time to the grand knights and ladies of the court while quaffing your red and white wine of the Loire Valley.

Domaine Cailbourdin Poullly Fume
reg $22.99 Special $18.99
The estate of Domaine Cailbourdin was created in 1980 and today is comprised of approximately 40 acres of vines planted in some of the best Pouilly-Fumé slopes. With about half of the vines being "vieilles vignes" or old vines, this white gem offers up racy lime and flint notes with delectable lemon verbena, grapefruit and floral hints. Finishes with a lovely mineral/stony edge. Excellent match with seafood, cured meats, and a natural companion with fine goat cheese.

Domaine Beausejour Chinon Rose
reg $14.99 Special $11.99
The town of Chinon is located on the banks of the river Vienne, which flows south of the Loire river and merges with the Loire just west of Chinon. Chinon is indelibly linked to two famous historical figures -- the author Francois Rabelais, born in Chinon around 1490, and Joan of Arc, who came to Chinon Castle in 1429 to meet the Dauphin Charles VII and inspired him to re-conquer his kingdom. This bright, fleshy rose is 100% cabernet franc and will marry beautifully with salmon and other red fleshed fish, tapenades, hearty soups and of course, a delight on its own.

Georges Brunet Demi-Sec Vouvray
reg $17.99 Special $14.99
Georges Brunet and his son Nicolas farm their 25 acres on the hillsides of Vouvray, which is located in the region of the Loire called Touraine, down river from Sancerre and Pouilly Fume. Produced from 100% chenin blanc (also called White Pineau of the Loire Valley in French), this "off dry" white is an indication of an excellent vintage when demi-secs are produced. Exudes a lovely bouquet of white flowers and williams pear and segues to flavors of honey, orange and grapefruit zest laced with vanillin, toasted nuts and almond. A gorgeous wet stone minerality clings tenaciously to the long finish. Best served with pork and other white meats, goat cheese or as an aperitif.

Domaine Beausejour Chinon Rouge
reg $16.99 Special $13.99
In 1951, Dr Jacques Chauveau bought a simple farm. His son, Gérard Chauveau, architect and town planner, inherited the property in 1968 and decided to create a modern, functional wine-growing estate. In 1969, he planted his first vines. He gradually acquired new land to build up the estate to its current size. In 1995, David Chauveau, in partnership with his father, took over responsibility for vinification, and has been running the estate ever since. This cabernet franc based red boasts black raspberry, bitter-sweet black-chocolate covered berries and floral notes. An imposingly rich finish maintains berry freshness with delicious mineral traces.

Domaine Chesnaies Borgueil
reg $16.99 Special $12.99
If you can pronounce this name, hats off to you. Borgueil is the town, located across the river from Chinon, and the wine is 100% cabernet franc. Underground caves serve as the bottle cellar for this full bodied red, with their 'Cuvée des Chesnaies' being harvested later and vinified in a more 'New World' style. The resulting wine is as an explosion of vibrant spicy red fruit that bursts from the glass with gorgeous, mouth-watering aromas of sweet blackberries, violets, spices, cherries and hints of vanilla.

Domain Rochelles Anjou La Croix de Mission
reg $19.99 Special $16.99
We continue down river into the region of Anjou. Hubert Lebreton, a key figure in the development of the appellations and at the time head of this family-run domaine, essentially defined what the dry wines of Anjou should be. Today, his son, Jean-Yves, now runs the domaine. The intriguing note about this dense, rich, brooding wine is that it is more reliant on cabernet sauvignon than the usual suspect, cabernet franc. There is a cornucopia of ripe, sweet fruit on the nose and palate, with a nuance of tobacco and liquorice through out. Lovely extract, rounded and firm on the finish, which is evident of the 2005 vintage.