Chocoholics Easter Wine Tour in Loire Valley

Easter Wine Tour 2018 for Chocoholics in Loire Valley France

29th March - 31st March or 30th - 1st April 2018
or 1st April - 3rd April 

 (other dates on request)

Spring time in the Loire Valley is simply beautiful. Everything is fresh, the vines are coming into bud and the weather is warming up. What better time to take a Wine Tour and now you have the opportunity to take a Chocoholics Easter Wine Tour as well.

All you need do is arrive - we’ll take care of the rest!

 Experience the French countryside, fabulous chateaux, chocolates and enjoy Loire Valley Wines with our Chocoholics Easter Wine Tour 2018

On the first evening we serve you a delicious Wine Sampling Supper in the grand hall with an AOC Loire wine with each course and topped off with a serving of Sparkling Loire red and handmade chocolates.

Wake up to a  delicious continental breakfast, freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh coffee or tea, croissants and baguettes all collected daily from the boulangerie and Easter Eggs of course.

We head off the next day into the Saumur Region on the Easter Wine Tour where we will have the opportunity during the day to visit 2-3 wineries, sample the wines, tour the caves and buy wines at cellar door prices.

There is a picnic lunch en-route either in the vineyards or on the banks of the beautiful Loire River. In the evening we’ll take you to a local restaurant where you can sample the regional food. The area is so rich in history and culture that we always throw in a little sight seeing along the way too. 


Back at La Grande Maison we will open a bottle of sparkling red and sample chocolates, a perfect match. Made from the cabernet franc grape Sparkling Red wines from our local producers Langlois Chateau and Bouvet Ladubay are sublime with a little Easter chocolate.

Before heading out to dinner you will have chance to take tea/coffee and biscuits in the stunning gardens and have time to relax before being taken to a local restaurant in the evening. An exclusive aperitif will be offered in the underground pigeonneir too! After a delicious breakfast the following morning we return you to your selected departure point. A not to be missed tour of the caves and tunnels at La Grande Maison is also included. SO EASY!


CHOCOHOLICS EASTER WINE TOUR IN THE LOIRE VALLEY VINEYARDS 2018



What’s included in this package:

TWO NIGHTS STAY AT LA GRANDE MAISON in the VINES - ONLY 410 euros per person (based on two persons sharing a double/twin room) - extra nights bed and breakfast available on request - extra nights available on request if you want a longer weekend.




Collection to/from ANGERS OR SAUMUR STATION
Welcome drink on arrival


2 night(s) accommodation at La Grande Maison 



1 Wine Tasting Supper at La Grande Maison (per person)



2 Breakfast(s) at La Grande Maison



1 Picnics in the vineyard or on the banks of the river
Loire


Transport in roomy 6 or 9 seater vehicle



Qualified Wine Guide - English Speaking



Translation and explanations by guide whenever necessary



A one day visit to 2-3 local Saumur/Saumur Champigny wine producers


Chocolate tasting session with red sparkling wine
Tastings of local white, red, rose and sparkling wines



Route map



Details of Domaines to be visited and meet the winemaker



Helpful descriptions and notes



Wine Tasting note book and pencil



Bottled water to take on the tour



Opportunity to buy wines at vineyard prices



Transportation of wines bought to La Grande Maison



Tour of the wine caves and tunnels at La Grande Maison

Lifts to and from local restaurants 2nd evening


Tea or coffee in the gardens on return from your tour


DATES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST - BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!!


"Our first trip to France. Six nights in Paris followed by four nights at La Grande Maison. Whilst Paris was interesting, historic and busy, our four days with you were relaxing and we experienced more of the REAL FRANCE than in Paris. Your facilities, service and hospitality were the "Icing on the Cake!" Thank You" - Max and Deena Warren - Arizona USA



“How wonderful to be able to drink 29 different wines in the space of one weekend and console yourself with the fact that it's educational as well as pleasurable - heavenly from the first to the last drop. Our hosts not only provided great food and fascinating lessons in viniculture but were excellent company too. We shall be back!” Kirsty Lang of BBC Radio 4 - London UK



"This is as good as it gets. Thank you for an amazing four days. All five senses are fully engaged in pleasure, when you have the perfect combination of fun and interesting people, delicious home made food & beautiful wines!!" - Leah and Barton Melbourne Australia



"This is exactly what we were looking for! Your hospitality and thoughtfulness made our stay extra special - we will definitely see you again! Graete" - Leonie, Helonna and Nicolas - Pretoria South Africa




A selection of dates are available this year for the Chocoholics Easter Wine Tour 2018 please email us your dates to check on our availability. Please note this tour is exclusive to La Grande Maison.

Why not see a little more of the real France with our unique Chocoholics Easter Wine Tour 2018 in the Loire. To book today email : resv@lagrandemaison.net REF : CHOCOWINE18

1 Star Michelin Restaurants Loire - La Table de la Bergerie and Fontevraud Le Restaurant

Great news to hear that two NEW 1 Star Michelin Restaurants have just been announced in the Loire - La Table de la Bergerie in Champ Sur Layon and Fontevraud Le Restaurant in Fontevraud.

Congratulations to both chefs for these well deserved awards. Thibaut Ruggeri - Fontevraud Le Restaurant and David Guitton - Le Table de la Bergerie. Who now join Mickaël PIHOURS of La Gambetta in Saumur and Pascal Favre d'Anne of Le Favre d'Anne and Un Ile of Gérard Bossé in Angers in holding a precious Michelin *

Thibaut Ruggeri - Chef Etoilé at Fontevraud Le Restaurant 

Thibaut Ruggeri's amazing food at Fontevraud Le Restaurant 

David Guitton produces some beautiful dishes paired with their own estate wines.

The view over the vineyards of Domaine de la Bergerie of Yves Guegniard at La Table de la Bergerie

 Vineyard Dining at La Table de la Bergeire

 

For lunch or dinner during your stay at La Grande Maison both restaurants are well worth a visit and we are happy to make reservations for you during your stay.

 

Thibaut Ruggeri @ Abbaye de Fontevraud BP 24 – 49590 Fontevraud – L'Abbaye

 http://www.fontevraud.fr/en/Eating-at-Fontevraud/Le-Restaurant

David Guitton @ La Table de la Bergerie

 http://www.latable-bergerie.fr/

Wine Tours from London or Paris to the Loire Valley

Never Been Easier ?

London City to Angers Airport in only an hour! 

From the 28 March to the 28 October 2016 British Airways is operating out of London City direct to Angers Airport on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. So get your tickets now from only £ 62 (oneway) and we will collect you direct from the airport and transfer you back to La Grande Maison in under 40 minutes. In less than 2 hours you could be sipping your first glass of sparkling Cremant de la Loire in the vineyards at La Grande Maison. What could be easier?

London - Angers Timetable 

All details for our Wine Tours running from either Paris or London

can be found here. Hope to see you soon. Sante!

La Grande Maison Supporting UK Wine Research

The Sponsors Board at the UK Wine Research Centre featuring La Grande Maison

Sue and Micaela at La Grande Maison are pleased to support the UK Wine Research Centre at Plumpton Agricultural College (University of Brighton). "The donations make a tremendous difference," says Chris Foss. "They allow us to go beyond teaching into proper research, which is fundamental for a university."

Sue attended the opening of the new centre by The Duchess of Cornwall in 2014

Photo: Sue Hunt ©

Speaking about Chris Foss Head of the Wine Department, Sue said "he is the inspiration and driving force for all the wine courses, as well as the brand new winery and now the UK Wine Research Centre. His quiet passion and obvious immense knowledge of wine is infectious and is caught by staff and students alike. But Plumpton College is more than Chris and his team, it has a beautiful setting tucked beneath the Sussex South Downs, surrounded by fields of sheep, cattle and some vines; the pace and place is peaceful, the learning is intense.

The balance of practical and theory gave me the knowledge and experience to know that I could walk into almost any winery, vineyard or tasting event in the world and perform confidently and competently. Wine is an ever expanding subject and I am privileged to have had such a good grounding."

 

Chris Foss - Head of the Wine Department and regular visitor to La Grande Maison

Our business based at La Grande Maison is going from strength to strength and over the  years we have set up exclusive links with companies based in the Rhone and Burgundy and extended the range of Loire wine tours we have on offer.

L'Auberge des Iles - Montreuil Bellay - Team Vigneron

Many of you that have stayed at La Grande Maison in the past will be familiar with the wonderful cuisine of David Beaufreton the chef at Le Puy A Vins and will have undoubtedly enjoyed the wines of Guillaume & Adrien of Chateau de Fosse Seche and Aymeric Hillaire of Domaine Melaric. Well now the team have come together along with Romain Amblard of Le Puy A Vins to bring you a new restaurant in Montreuil Bellay - L'Auberge des Iles. Only 10 minutes from La Grande Maison.

The terrace is on the banks of the River Thouet in a stunning location at the foot of the magnificent Chateau of Montreuil Bellay. "Cuisine à l'ancienne" and a large wine list not only featuring many local Loire organic wines but also some very fine wines from other regions of France along with a few surprises from Spain, Germany and Swtizerland.

I'm sure it is going to become a winemakers hang out too. We popped in this luch time, after the inaugaration last night it was hard not to return to try the food and enjoyed a glass of sparkling at the bar with Matthieu Vallée of Chateau Yvonne.

Food is simple but fresh and delicious with a series of 'formules' to suit any pocket. Enjoy "Le plat du jour" from only 12 euros. Needless to say there are wines by the glass and very good prices too if you want to sample some of the different producers. 

Bravo Romain, David, Aymeric, Guillaume and Adrien wishing you all the best for your first season in Montreuil Bellay. We will be back and recommending to our guests at La Grande Maison too!

http://www.auberge-des-isles.fr/

5 French Wine Production Styles at a Glance - Understanding the Logos

Confused with all the logos you find on French wine bottles? 

Not sure what type of French wine you are drinking? 

Here is a quick guide to exactly what is going on in the vineyards and 

therefore in the bottle. 

1. Organic - "Les Purs Biologiques"

Winegrowers that don't use either pesticides or herbicides. 

They only have a access to elements made available by nature e.g. Copper 

and Sulphur and the only treatments allowed are those that are washed 

away by the rain and do not penetrate into the plant. 

Wines are allowed to show the logo AB Agriculture Biologique.

AB Agriculture Biologique

 

2. Biodynamic - "Les Biodynamisyes"

These wine producers are considered the most radical fringe group of the 

organic producers. They refuse to use pesticides and weed killers.

They follow the norms of the organic producers imposed by the label AB 

Agriculture Biologique but also want to revert to typical soils of

animal material and plant matter.

Demeter

There are two main labels indicating Biodynamic Wine those of Demeter 

and Biodyvin.

Biodyvin

3. Natural Wines - Les Natures

This group of producers are different to the pure organic and biodynamic 

producers and are hostile to anything added to the wine during the process 

of the wine making. They are strongly opposed to the use of sulphur in the 

winery. Sulphites are reputed to act as anti-bacterial and are there good for 

conservation of wine. For the Naturalist the taste of the pure grape is all 

that is important. Nothing added and nothing taken away. Currently no label 

for "Natural Wines" but there is an Association des Vins Naturels.

Association des Vins Naturels AVN

4. Reasonable Culture - Les Raisonnés

Durable viticulture with the objective to limit the number of chemical 

treatments, reduce the amount of pesticides and weed killers and other...

...both in the vineyard and the winery. Some of these producers move to 

organic production as a next step.

Les Raisonnés - Reasonable Culture

5. The Conventionals - Les Conventionnels 

Or as I have often heard other producers describe them "Les Chimiques" 

(The Chemicals) 

75% of winegrowers in France are still conventional. They treat their vines 

with chemicals, pesticides and weed killers.

Loire Wine Salons 2015

The big week has nearly arrived and it's time to descend on the various Wine Salons held in the Anjou region of the Loire. Gone are the days of visiting one major salon (Salon des Vins de Loire) as 'Offs' or off-shoot salons have grown year by year. This year we have the challenge of visiting all SIX - yes six different shows within the space of 3 days (although the elapsed time is over 5 days). So here is the unofficial list of what is going on, when and where. Salons are reserved for professionals in the wine trade and usually by invitation although some allow a supplementary entrance to be paid on the door in return for a glass and an extraordinary range of tastings.

 

Starting on Saturday is the Renaissance des Appellations 2015 at Greniers Saint Jean - Angers Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February 9h30-19h. One of our favourite salons for the quality of wines represented and showing organic and biodynamic wines with a great selection from the Loire Valley. Including :

LOIRE

- Didier Chaffardon
– Christophe Daviau
– Yves et Anne Guégniard
– Clément Baraut
– Toby Bainbridge
– Eddy Oosterlinck
– Benoit Blet
– Didier Hauret
– Olivier Lecomte
– Patrick Baudouin
– Xavier Cailleau
– Damien et Didier Richou
– Stéphane Rocher
– Th. Ducleux, JM Brousset et J. Delrieu
– Jean-François Vaillant
– Thomas Carsin
– Jo Pithon
– Nathalie et Vincent Betis
– Thierry Michon
– Joseph Landron
– Frédéric Niger Van Herck et Guy Bossard
– Sébastien Riffault
– Philippe Gilbert
– Michel Gendrier
– Michel Quenioux
– Laura Semeria
– Bruno Allion
– Louis-Jean Sylvos
– Olivier Bellanger
– Paul Gillet
– François Plouzeau
– François Chidaine
– Vincent Carème
– Hélène Fillette
– Eric Nicolas
– Philippe Delesvaux
– Maï et Kenji Hodgson
– Stéphanie et Vincent Deboutbertin
– Joël Ménard
– Thomas Batardière
– Liv Vincendeau
– Bruno Rochard
– Richard Leroy
– Rémi Bonnet
– Bernard et Benoit Landron
– Jacques Carroget
– Tessa Laroche
– Loïc Mahé
– Virginie Joly
– Yannick Amirault
– Sébastien David
– Pascal Lambert
– Etienne de Bonnaventure
– Bernard Baudry
– Guillaume Pire
– Guillaume Reynouard
– Jean-François Regnier
– Jean-Noël Million
– Mathieu Vallée
– Anne-Claude Leflaive
– Xavier Caillard
– Aymeric Hilaire
– Philippe Gourdon
– Mark Angeli

Also on the Saturday and Sunday 31st Jan - 1st February 10h - 18h is an off-shoot from Les Salons des Amis - Les Pénitentes @ Hotel de Penitents Angers. Bonhomme, Chaussard, Mosse, Puzelat and Villemade have invited a range of producers listed below with empasis on organic and natural wines.

In it's third year now but this time a new location on Sunday 1st February at the Salon Curnonsky, rue st martin, 49700 Angers (in front of the old location of the collegiale saint Martin) from 10h00 - 19h00  is the Vins Anonymes 2015. The idea of this salon is to allow a collective of young and perhaps relatively unknown vignerons show their wines that are either alternative, close to natural and authentic. Some of the vignerons represented include our neighbour Jacky RIPOCHE of LES NOADES SAUMUR along with – LA COULEE D’Ambrosia johana et jf Chene ANJOU – LAMBERT Jérôme ANJOU – CAVE BECLAIR ANJOU – GARREAU cédric ANJOU – SAURIGNY jérôme ANJOU – BOUTIN Thomas ANJOU – LES VIGNES DE BABASS ANJOU – BOREL Pierre BOURGUEIL – DOMAINE DU MORTIER maison Boisard BOURGUEIL - – COURANT XAVIER BOURGUEIL – COURTAULT Joel TOURAINE – LA LUNOTTE Foucher TOURAINE

Let's not forget another of our favourite events of the year the Dive Bouteille this time on the 1-2  February Sunday and Monday in the sous terrain setting of the caves of Ackerman. Organised by Sylvie Augereau this salon features natural wines from all over France, but also some wines from Italy and producers from the USA. This is the 15th Dive and we are sure it is going to be a popular as ever with a diverse and electic range of natural wines.

 

Many of the Loire regulars including

 – Marion Pescheux et Manuel Landron, Complémen’terre (Muscadet)
– Jérôme Bretaudeau, Bellevue (Muscadet)
– Marc Pesnot, la Sénéchalière (Muscadet)
– J Bresteau et M Houtin, Grange aux Belles (Anjou)
– Philippe Delmée (Anjou)
– Geneviève et Nicolas Bertin-Delatte,Echalier (Anjou)
– Clément Baraut (Anjou-Savennières)
– Sylvain Martinez (Anjou)
– François Saint-Lô (Anjou)
– Stéphane Erissé (Anjou)
– Nicolas Reau (Anjou)
– Eric Dubois, Clos Cristal (S-Champigny)
– Antoine Sanzay (S-Champigny)
– Bruno Dubois (S-Champigny)
– Matthieu Bouchet, Gaillard (Saumur)
– Thierry Germain, Roches Neuves (S-Champigny)
– Sylvain Dittière, Porte Saint-Jean (S-Champigny)
– Caroline et Antoine Foucault, le Collier (Saumur)
– Arnaud Lambert, Brézé (Saumur)
– Emeline et Sébastien Bobinet (S-Champigny)
– Romain Guiberteau (Saumur)
– Patrick Corbineau (Touraine-Chinon)
– Fred Sigonneau, de l’R (Chinon)
– Jérôme Lenoir, cave des Roches (Chinon)
– François Blanchard, le Grand Cléré (Touraine)
– Gérard Marula (Touraine-Chinon)
– Lise et Bertrand Jousset (Montlouis)
– Sébastien Brunet (Vouvray)
– Mathieu Cosme, Beaumont (Vouvray)
– C. et D. Delecheneau, Grange Tiphaine (Mtlouis)
– Grégory Leclerc, Chahut et Prodiges (Touraine)
– Noella Morantin (Touraine)
– Laurent Saillard (Touraine)
– Brendan Tracey (Touraine)
– Olivier Lemasson, les Vins Contés (Touraine)

New for the 2nd February Dans Nos Pas 12h-21h chez La Gastonomie featuring from the Loire Chateau de Fosse Seche and Ferme de Caudalies (5 mins from Parc des Expo)

Returning again this year is another newish salon La Levée de la Loire scheduled for Monday 2/3/4th February 2015 this time at the Parc des Expositions d’Angers  from 9h - 19h. This is the Association interprofessional of the Organic Wines of the Loire (Vin Bio de Loire) organised in partnership with the Renaissance, the Dive and le Salon du Logis du Gouverneur.

 


Represented from the Loire we have -

– AMIRAULT Xavier, Thierry et Agnès
– AUPETITGENDRE Claude et GOZARD Jacques
– BILLARD Jérôme
– BOISARD Fabien et Cyril
– BOURSE Quentin
– BRETON Pierre
– CAREME Vincent
– CASLOT Claudia, Franck et Bertrand
– CASLOT Stéphanie et Emmanuel
– CHANSON Ludovic
– COURANT Xavier
– COURTEMANCHE Frédéric
– DAVID Sébastien- DANSAULT Gabrièle et Régis
– DESCHAMPS Sandrine et Christophe
– DE BONNAVENTURE Pascale et Etienne
– GALBRUN Bertrand- GASNIER Fabrice
– GAUTHIER Pierre et Rodolphe
– GENDROT Fabrice
– GERARD Philippe et DETECHEVERRY Arnaud
– GROSBOIS Nicolas
– GUION Stéphane
– HERIVAULT Arnaud
– HERLIN Laurent
– JOURDAN Francis
– KLOECKE Jean-Daniel
– LAMBERT Pascal et Béatrice
– LAMBERT Patrick
– LANDRY Thierry
– MABILEAU Frédéric
– MANCEAU Jean-Max
– MERIAS Benoît
– MUREAU Stéphane
– PELLETIER Jean-Christophe
– PICHET Thomas
– PINON François
– PLAISANTIN Yves
– PLOUZEAU Marc
– RIMBAULT Sophie et ROUXELIN Anne
– ROUSSE Wilfrid
– SIGONNEAU Frédéric
– SPELTY Johann
– SYLVOS Louis-Jean
– THIBAULT Marie
– VALLEE Gérald
– VAN DEN BERGHE Kathleen
– VALLEE Gérald

Last but never least the BIG one that starts on 2nd February and runs for 3 days to the 4th February inclusive the Salon des Vins de Loire at the Parc des Expositions in Angers from 9h - 19h each day except Wednesday to 18h as everyone will want to go home as let's face it they will be exhausted by this time! It is here that the Medal Winners (Palais de Ligers) are announced along with the winners of the blog trophy, the best student sommelier and many other master classes on terroir and chenin.

Within the Salon des Vins de Loire is also the Salons des Vins de Loire Stand Collectif Vins Bio a stand for the collective of organic producers.

So you see the wine world is going to be a buzz in this area of the Loire Valley over the next week. The logistics of getting from one show to the other are going to be fun but at the least the weather is on our side at the moment but we know how precocious February can be in the region - so fingers crossed !

Previous years we had heavy snow - this years forecast is looking ok!!  

Dive Bouteille - Nul n'est censé ignorer la Loire 

© Sylvie Augereau

Scenes from the Loire Harvest 2014

Harvesting is underway today for the Cremant de Loire (Sparkling Wine) and the Saumur Brut. We are starting to see hand picking and machine harvesting in the vines around Saumur-Puy Notre Dame. Hand picking is obligatory for the Cremant de Loire where as machines can be used to harvest the grapes for the Saumur Petillant / Sparkling Wines.

Monday 22nd September 2014 and the grapes being picked today include Chardonnay and some Cabernet Franc for the sparkling.

Here are a few shots from the early harvest activity today.

 Chardonnay hand picked into buckets and then transfered to crates for Ackerman

 Chardonnay machine picked for Domaine Aupy - Puy Notre Dame

 Crates ready for picking at Domaine de L'Echantoir - Pierre says he'll start picking on Wednesday

 Happy crew hand picking grapes for the Cremant de Loire for Bouvet Laduaby

 Chardonnay for the Cremant de Loire of Bouvet Ladubay

 One of the growers for Bouvet Ladubay outside Le Puy Notre Dame

 Equipment being prepared at Domaine des Guyons in Le Puy

 Equipment being prepared at Domaine des Hauts Baurds in - Puy Notre Dame 

 The Ackerman installation just outside Le Puy Notre Dame 

 Machine harvesting at Domaine Aupy

Chardonnay in the shade waiting to be taken for pressing at the Ackerman installation

Great Events in the Loire Valley 2014

Here are some events that you might want to see during your visit to the Loire Valley this year. I'll add to the list as the season progresses but for the time being here are a few of our favourites :

Livre et Vin - Bouvet Ladubay 13th April

Fete du Thoureil - 27th April Annual boat festival along the Loire and the first of the season is held in Le Thoureil

On the water in Le Thoureil for the Fete

Fete de la Batellerie - 24th May Chinon

La Sterne moored up in front of the Chinon Chateau

Anjou Velo Vintage -  28-29th June Saumur Come and join the fun you can hire a vintage bike and enter the circuit in vintage costume. It's great fun!

Pushing the bikes up hill !

Zaz plays at Avoine Blues - 6th July Local to the area and fabulous in concert Zaz returns to play this year at the Blues Festival in Avoine near Chinon

Zaz in Concert

Bastille Day - 14th July Fireworks and Celebrations in Saumur


Carrousel de Saumur - 19-20th July Cadre Noir Performance of the wonderful horses

Le Puy Notre Dame Retro Grand Prix - 26- 27th July 

Vintage cars on their drive past La Grande Maison

Grande Table de Saumur Champigny - 6-7th August For two nights in Saumur we have the largest restaurant in the world. With wine supplied courteousy of the winemakers of the Saumur Champigny region.

The largest table in the world in Saumur

Aubigné sur Layon - Fete du Vin Art Music and Gastronomy - 31st August Serving the first sampling of the Coteaux du Layon in this pretty Layon village. Music, art, literature plus great food and wine.

Serving the Coteaux Du Layon

Fete de Vins Festivin - Saumur 6-14th September

Jacky Ripoche of Les Noades at Festivini

Fete de Vendanges - 28th September The annual hand harvest at the Chateau of Saumur

Olivier Coussin brought his horse and cart to help the harvest

Ar(t) Cheval -  26th October to the 9th November at the Centre Contemporain Bouvet Ladubay