know it's a bit bulkier than is ideal, but I tend to bring Loire Cabernet Franc wines to Thanksgiving dinner because people expect their red wines to be brawny and dark, and I certainly do not want to rain on my family's parade. How do I pick wines to bring for Thanksgiving, Brooklynguy? What should I buy? They don't hate it, anyway.

In the way that the general wine drinking public under-values Loire red wines, I think that us Loire lovers under-value the wines of Domaine Filliatreau. If you like Cabernet Franc from the Loire and you haven't tried this wine, you honestly should make a point of buying this. promise you, you will not be disappointed.

There were only 250 cases produced of this Napa Valley gem, this bottle given to me as a birthday present by my good friend, Eric Guido. Eric and his wife Deborah took a trip to Trepass Vineyards last year and returned raving about their wines, so I was really happy to unwrap this Cabernet Franc.

Though its home is in Loire Valley of France, most Americans are more familiar with the fresh vibrant taste of Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Chateau de Sancerre 2006, Sancerre AOC This Sauvignon Blanc is a classic from France’s Loire Valley. What do you recommend?” briny Muscadet? buttery Chardonnay?

and that is because in old world regions such as France’s Loire Valley, they refer to a bottle of wine by the region where it is from. So in the Loire region of Sancerre, your only choices are a “Sancerre blanc&# or a “Sancerre rouge.&# Marc Sorrel-Dejerine of Chaeau De Sancerre.

This is Chardonnay, technically from the Loire Department, but we're talking closer to Lyon and Burgundy than to Vouvray or Chinon. Perhaps not terroir specific in the sense that the wine would be identifiable as a Loire Valley wine, but that's okay in this case. This is slightly rustic Cabernet Franc. or $13.50

The first was a 2007 Domaine de Cezin, a wine made from the Chenin Blanc grape that grows in a tiny AOC region called Jasnieres in Touraine in the Loire Valley (France). Given this 1938 AOC designation, one has to ask what is so special about this wine that it was distinguished from all the other regions in the Loire?

Commonly neglected like the spinach on a child’s plate, Cabernet Franc is often accused of being too green, too herbaceous, or too vegetal—traits that are often the result of underripe grapes.  Tags: Recipes & Pairings Cabernet Franc Loire Valley Marc Ollivier Vegetarian Recipes Wine Pairing

Very positive in general, Sifton said this about the wine list: "Totally acceptable selection, but much better to experiment among the 23 beers on tap and large selection of bottled beers that have traveled here from Britain, from Brooklyn, from Germany, from France." But none of this would have happened had I made a better beverage choice.

Again, this is not the same mentality that would have any meaningful representation today in places like Bordeaux or Napa Valley, but one sees this same phenomenon at work quite often in Burgundy and elsewhere, so it is not a unique Piemontese mentality. asked him six questions; he replied with over 10,000 words! think not. am not hopeful.

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!

This is Guy Bossard's sparkling wine, made mostly of Melon de Bourgogne (the Muscadet grape), but there is also some Gros-Plant and Cabernet Franc in the blend. Tags: Luneau-Papin Domaine de la Louvetrie Michel Brégeon Muscadet Guy Bossard Loire Valley Domaine de la Pépière By the Glass Recently re-released by Dressner.

It was November of 2005, BrooklynLady and I went to France together for the first time. The 2008 Bernard Baudry Chinon Rosé , $18, Louis/Dressner Selections, is 100% Cabernet Franc from two different parcels, one with flinty clay soils, and the other sandy gravel. Our visit to Baudry began with a bit of an adventure.

He travels frequently and greatly enjoys his work with a small group of wine makers, mostly in Germany, France, and Austria. The 2005 Reynald Héaulé Vin de Table L'Insoumis de Village , or 'Black Sheep of the Village' (about $30) is a serious country wine made by one of the new wave Loire Valley natural wine hipsters.

The northern most vineyards in western France are in the Loire Valley appellations of Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir. In the late 1990's inspired wine making came to Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir in the form of Eric and Christine Nicolas who own and operate Domaine de Bellivière. It is good, but not memorable.

Dry Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. ?Savennieres? Loire Valley Cabernet Franc --dont get too fancy but if you can find Bonaventure, works like a charm with lime pickle and kerala (bitter melon). Dry Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. ?Savennieres? Im a writer, its always down market for me. was high. What a shock.

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.

went for the Bubbles, the Beaujolais, the Cab Franc, and the Chenin Blanc. And as far as I know, 1988 wasn't a particularly great vintage - just a normal working class year in the Loire Valley. And last for me were the great Loire reds, and what a way to end the day. The Italian wines - I didn't taste 'em. And under $25.

had the 2005 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Tuffeaux the other night and it was honestly just amazing. If you want to know why the cool kids all seem to love Loire Cab Franc, drink this wine Listen - I don't always have time to write something grand for this blog. Very busy times lately, as you know.

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. Puzelat's wines are delicious regardless of the particularities of the weather in the vintage. They buzz with energy, some say "wildness."

bought a bunch (by my small NYC cellar standards) of Loire Valley reds and whites from the heralded 2005 vintage, and most of them require some cellaring in order to show at their best and most complex. Cabernet Franc is supposed to mature gracefully, to pick up many secondary characteristics to go with its youthful floral fruit.

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.

I purchased both these Loire Valley wines as part of a case of under $20 wines at Smith & Vine last week. The Bourgueil was deep and dusky with cabernet franc typicity - loam, graphite, and sweet blackberries. The Savennieres was gold, with honey, musk and white peaches. Both are good values

Moving to the Rhone valley in France I tried some wines from Eric Texier. Next to Texier was Domaine Franck Peillot from the Bugey region of France (a place I had never previously heard of). wine I really loved and found quite unique was the 2005 Domaine de Roally Vire'-Clesse' from the Macconnais, France. don't know.

2005 was a very good year in Savennières, as it was in most of France. The '05 is not around yet, but Vestry had the 2002, which was also a fine year in the Loire Valley. Sometimes I can hang out in a familiar place and never look in a certain corner of the room. And then it becomes a habit not to look in that direction.

missed Wine Blogging Wednesday this month, silly me, and the theme was French Cabernet Franc. All Cabernet Franc from Cravant Les Coteaux, right outside of Chinon. NV Fabrice Gasnier La Cravantine , $19, Fleet Street Imports. Many people reviewed wines by Fabrice Gasnier , a producer I am not familiar with.

I've been checking in on my 2005 Loire wines lately, just to see how things are going. Loire-lovers have been touting 2005 as a great vintage, as good as 05 in Burgundy or Bordeaux. 2005 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Clos Habert , $27 (but costs about $30 now), Louis/Dressner Selections. It's just fantastic wine.

used an old friend from Southwest France instead. 2002 Castello di Borghese Cabernet Franc Reserve , $32 from the winery. I'm glad we opted to go local on the wine, and I want to love local Cabernet Franc. But there are so many that I prefer from the Loire Valley, and they are literally half the price.

After the Romans took Greece and all their traditions from Polytheism to art and.well.wine Spain eventually came under Roman rule where her wines enjoyed some substantial travel showing up in England, far reaches of France such as the Loire valley and Germany. wonder if this is when garnacha was introduced to France as Grenache?

BrooklynLady and I went to France together for the first time in October of 2005. We went to the Loire Valley and our plan was to see the various villages, and Tours, of course, but also to feast on the wonderful food and wines of the region. ve not found its equal in Cabernet Franc. This retails for approximately $35.

Here's what I'm bringing: Sparkling: Eric Bordelet Poire Authentique, about $12 - a sparkling pear cider made of biodynamically farmed fruit from northwest France. Red: 2005 Chateau de Hureau Saumur-Champigny Grande Cuveé , about $14 - this is among the better under $15 Loire Cab Francs of the season, in my opinion. Um hmm.

Of course I'm going to start in the Loire Valley with this, as there's great sparkling Vouvray and Saumur to be had. So here are two Loire Valley sparklers that I enjoyed lately in the $12-20 price range. Their rose, which I believe is what they are better known for, is all Cabernet Franc. But that's like $25 now!

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. Beaujolais.

couple of general thoughts: the Loire wines kind of blew the others away. Could be our small sample, but this reiterated for me that France continues to make some of the finest under $15 wine in the world. It lacked the focus and definition that I found in the Loire wines, but it was very good, and I think a good value.

love French wine, but the good doctor ruled out what he called "the big six grapes" from France, namely Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. Chenin Blanc is, in my opinion, the superstar white grape of the Loire Valley. That rules out a lot of wine. Whatever, do what you want.

Some interesting wines from July that did not get individual posts: Loire Valley 2006 Olga Raffault Chinon Rose , $15 ( Chambers Street Wines ). rose of Cabernet Franc, this wine is more pink than salmon colored, but its a muted and classy pink. Cour-Cheverny is a tiny appellation in the north-west part of the Loire Valley.

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. Cheverny, like many a Loire Valley appellation, is a jackpot of delicious, naturally made, low alcohol, and inexpensive wines. It costs $13.50 Who knows.

Yes, Champagne can be an expensive habit, but Champagne is not the only game in France. Many Loire Valley producers make excellent sparkling wine. People say that sparkling wines are among the most versatile wines. They pair perfectly with basically any food, from delicate and gossamer smoked salmon slices to rich and saucy BBQ.

If you are really into wine from the Loire Valley you know that Gamay appears in some Touraine wines. Beaujolais Nouveau, the sweet and pleasant kool-aid with a kick that is so celebrated in France - that is not what I will be tasting and discussing. First time checking out the Beaujolais Challenge? Okay, that's it.

He opts for an old favorite of mine, one that I learned to love in France - anise liquor with cold water. It was breezy on Friday evening. There was a slight chill in the air, as if Mother Nature was breathing a sigh after working all week to keep the days nice and warm. But maybe that chill I felt on my deck was not so sweet after all.

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 (!)

This is a tasting of an amazing portfolio of producers primarily from the Loire Valley, but also including one or two from Burgundy, Beaujolais, Languedoc-Roussillon, Bugey, Bordeaux, and Piedmont. Friday March 23 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Prospect Wine Shop and Greene Grape Wines (both will offer smaller versions of the tasting).

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.

But I also noticed from reading Jack and Joanne's biodynamic wine producers guide , that many of the wines that I love and cellar are right there on the list, particularly in the Loire Valley: Closel, Breton, St. Maybe biodynamic wines ARE better, or maybe I just love wines from the Loire Valley. cents. Next time.

There are well chosen wines from the Loire Valley, Burgundy, the Rhone, Bordeaux, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, and of course America. The Cabernet Franc is my favorite, there is also the Cot (known elsewhere as Malbec), and the Cuvee Granit, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, I think. At reasonable prices too.

really liked it though, and I imagine that it is amongst the best such Cabernet Franc wines of the Loire Valley. The Bretons are, to me, amongst the most reliable producers of red wine in the Loire Valley right now. I find it hard to share notes about every wine that I enjoy. Remondo , $24. Good acidity.

Mr. Erhart loves wine from the Loire Valley. C&P Breton make Bourgueil ( boor-geye) wine, beloved in France as everyday drinking wine, and largely unknown here. These wines are made soley from cabernet franc. One of the largest public housing projects in the US sits in Red Hook. But the food was excellent.

We opened a bottle of 2004 Domaine des Roches Neuves Terres Chaudes, a cabernet franc from Saumur Champigny in the Loire Valley. BrooklynLady and I never made it to Saumur Champigny when we visited the Loire Valley last year. Lamb is probably my favorite carne - such intense flavor, rich and kind of gamey.

Savennieres is one of the great Loire Valley appellations, producing amazing white wines made from the chenin blanc grape. BrooklynLady and I were well into our Loire Valley trip at this point, and she was nearing the end of her well documented patience for wine traveling and tasting. Did you notice that? Mais bien sur!