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 3 Days in the Loire Valley: Wine Caves and Parties

Picture of Deborah Bine
Deborah Bine

The Barefoot Blogger

Staying in a small village near Amboise was one of the best choices during this Loire Valley visit. Fireplace, neighborhood parties, and wine caves.

Arriving at our “château” after a day of castles and wine in Amboise, our host popped in to invite us to a neighborhood party–a birthday celebration. Perhaps it was because of the guest we picked up in town.

Where's Brad Pitt
He was quite a hit with the ladies.. and a big help, too.

Where's Brad Pitt
I guess he’s used to partying in France, and I’m sure he was ready to have some fun. He got into helping out in the kitchen, especially preparing for the barbecue.

Where's Brad Pitt

Party! Party! 

The next day all the party animals met at the nearby wine cave, Caves du Pigeonnier,  for a tour and degustation (tasting)

Amboise France

Amboise France

My friend Nancy McGee of Absolutely Southern France, who has taken many tours in France with her travel customers,  says this was the “best-guided wine tour ever.”

Amboise France
Guestault Caves of the Loire Valley

 

With Nancy performing as interpreter to the few English speakers,  we all learned much about wine production in the Loire, especially about the 300-year-old cave owned by the same family for six generations.

Guestault Caves of the Loire Valley
Nancy McGee of Absolutely Southern France
Guestault Caves of the Loire Valley

The ancient cave has been enlarged in recent years, yet wine-producing techniques from its beginning are still prominent, including the “vat” in the cave wall that was used in the process before the introduction of barrels.

Guestault Caves of the Loire Valley
Guestault Caves of the Loire Valley
Bubbling juices and skins are being prepared to use as “coloring.”
Guestault Caves of the Loire Valley
Wooden crate contraption that rotates to turn bottled wine during the production process

 

Under the wine appellation (AOC) Montlouis, the production at Guestault is predominately white wines from Chinon grapes, including sparkling wines.
Guestault Caves of the Loire Valley

As ancient as the caves and some original processing methods, the grape production at Guestault is modern. I turned on the video recorder for this explanation, interpreted onsite by Nancy.

 

 

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