Here is a bottle that represents a lot of what I love about wine from the Loire Valley. I'm not saying things are perfect in the Loire Valley when it comes to wine, far from it. As in Cheverny, red wines from Valençay contain several grapes, typically some blend of Gamay, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Cabernet Franc.

And Back story: I met Don Heistuman in the Loire oh, I don't know, nine years ago? There we were, toes deep in snow and grooving to cabernet franc and meanwhile he was cooking up an idea. The fantasy was delicious, approachable wine from the United States, made from a distinctly Loire Valley Blend, cabernet franc and gamay!

So buckle up and get ready to hear his thoughts on what’s wrong with Riesling from Austria and Australia, screwcaps and their problems, the Loire, California cab then and now, indigenous yeasts, roto-fermenters, small oak barrels, wines over 14% alcohol and why he uses scores! The Loire. German Riesling. just don’t get it.

Thierry Puzelat, along with his older brother Jean-Marie, is responsible for a big lineup of delicious wines from the Touraine and Cheverny appellations in the eastern part of the Loire Valley. Cheverny rouge must be a blend, and this is about 90% Gamay and 10% Pinot Noir. They buzz with energy, some say "wildness." It works.

Olivier Cousin makes natural wines, working his family's property in the central part of the Loire Valley near the area defined as Coteaux du Layon. Cousin cultivates Gamay, Grolleau, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Chenin Blanc - there is something for everyone in this portfolio. As it turns out, yes.

went with a Gamay from the Loire Valley, a glass of 2006 O. 2005 Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Tuffeaux (about $23, Dressner stuff again, might be sold out at this point but there are other Chidaine wines on the shelf - try one). I used to call this kind of post "Recent Sips," but I think I like this better.

Actually, it's a blend of Pinot and Gamay, so maybe instead I should say that it's the finest under $15 red wine of the season. This is a Loire Valley wine, naturally. For red wine Pinot Noir, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and the obscure Pineau d'Aunis are allowed. It costs $13.50 Who knows.

couple of tidbits before we get into our real business, just to make sure that we're all on the same page: Gamay is the grape used to make red wine in Beaujolais. Yes, there is some white wine (Chardonnay) made in Beaujolais, but almost 99% of production is red wine, and it's all about Gamay. Don't worry, you haven't missed anything.

So for all of you who want to poke your toe in the waters of the Loire, here is my case. Not a case from all over the world like Lyle's and Joy's, but Brooklynguy's case of Loire wine, a case that I believe will make anyone who likes wine a Loire lover. 2005 Chidaine Montlouis sur Loire Clos Habert , $26. And $17 - c'mon.

If you like Loire wines, you're not going to do better than this. 005 Chidaine Montlouis sur Loire Clos Habert , $26 - Yum! 2005 Chidaine Montlouis sur Loire Les Bournais , $32 - sweeter than the Clos Habert, very sweet in fact. 2005 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Cabernet Franc , $13. hauled my butt into Manhattan (!)

BrooklynLady and BrooklynBaby, a few good friends, a little something tasty to eat, 6 bottles of wine, young red wine from the Loire Valley.you cannot really do much better than that on a Thursday night, or any night, I daresay. There are many appellations in the Loire Valley and several grapes are used to make red wine.