The sun beat down on us as we neared the end of our “Vignes Vins Randos” wine tour, with temperatures soaring to 30°C. Despite earlier cooling walks through troglodyte caves, everyone silently focused on maintaining their balance, slightly tipsy from the sparkling wine but rapidly sobering in the heat.
Three hours earlier, we stood atop a hill overlooking lush vineyards and the historic castle of Saumur on the Loire river. We had joined an English-guided tour to ensure we wouldn’t miss any details about the exquisite wines. While a band played a mix of French classics and Reggae under shady trees, we were given orange shoulder bags with wine glasses, apples, and brochures about the wineries. Sunscreen applied, sunglasses on, and sensible shoes ready, we started our tour through the green vineyards with guides speaking both French and English.
Our first stop was to taste some Crémant de Loire. It’s similar to Champagne but more affordable, offered in various sweetness levels from doux to extra-brut. We sampled the “Cuvée Elisabeth” by Veuve Amiot, a refreshing and mineral blend perfect for a warm day in the vineyards.
Next, we descended into the caves, which are former tufa stone quarries. Tufa stone, used in building local castles and churches, also provides the ideal environment for aging Crémant de Loire. At Bouvet Ladubay, our tour showcased extensive wine tanks and a journey through the “Sunken Cathedral,” an intricate part of their caves.
We continued to Veuve Amiot’s cool cellars, which stretch for 5 km and maintain a steady 12°C thanks to a thick tufa and earth roof, ensuring optimal wine aging. Langlois Château followed, enlightening us on the evolution from manual to modern methods of “disgorging” and “dressing” wine bottles, emphasizing how much less wine is wasted now.
Ackerman was our final cave visit, famed as the first producer of sparkling wine in Saumur since 1838. We admired the art and sculptures within the troglodyte caves, celebrating the versatile grape.
After a long, hot walk back to the VVR start, we tasted two more sparkling wines, the “Cuvée Premium” from Gratien & Meyer and the “Cuvée Corial Rosé” from Caves de Grenelle. These dry wines rounded off the informative tour.
We relaxed under shady trees, chatting with fellow participants as the band played mellow tunes. Purchasing a bottle from one of the wineries, we ended our delightful wine experience on a high note, ready to enjoy it back at our cozy gîte. Cheers!
suansuan