The Loire Valley in pictures

I was lucky enough to spend four glorious days in the Loire Valley last week on a trip organised by Sopexa that focused on Chenin Blanc in all its guises, from dry and demi-sec to sparkling and sweet.

Our first stop was to Clos Ferrard in Savannières, where we were greeted by the affable Eric Morgat, whose wines are imported into the UK by Fields, Morris & Verdin. During the visit, Morgat explained the differences of his Chenin to those found in Saumur and Vouvray, describing them as being more textured and tannic in structure.

During the visit, Morgat took us to the spot that made him want to make Chenin in the first place.

He also showed us around his small farm, home to these adorable goats and an effervescent dog called Iber.

The view Morgat gets to wake up to every morning.

Moving on with our Chenin expedition, we ventured to Domaines des Roches Nueves, headed up by the force of nature that is Thierry Germain. A passionate believer in biodynamics, during a walk through his vines Germain spoke about his belief that wine consultants are like plastic surgeons trying to make ugly wines beautiful.

Before a visit to Domaine des Forges in Layon, we were taken up this tiny tower for a panoramic view.

The view that awaited us…

Next came a tasting and poolside lunch at the very pretty Domaine de la Paleine in Saumur.

At the estate, winery dog Blackberry was on hand to show us around, leaping into the cellars and among the vines with gusto, then taking a well earned break.

Giving the likes of Lafite and Latour a run for its money was Château Moncontour in Vouvray. Legend has it that 19th century French writer Balzac was so taken with the estate that he tried to buy it for his lover, Agnes de Sorel. Unable to stump up the cash, instead he wrote about the château in his novel Une Femme de Trente Ans, calling Moncontour his “prédilection”. In Balzac’s honour, the estate’s top fizz, made with 100% Chenin Blanc, is called Prédilection.

Posing among the roses in the estate’s bountiful garden

While admiring the view, we spotted a series of Porsches cruising down the road, presumably destined for Le Mans.

With its wines currently on sale in both M&S and Waitrose, Château Moncontour is currently undergoing significant expansion, and has planted a series of new vines in order to up its production.

Our final stop was to Bourillon Dorléans in Vouvray, where we were shown around by the estate’s larger than life owner, Frédéric Bourillon. Encouraging us to sniff his flowering Chenin grapes, Bourillon explained that he had to change the scent on his scratch and sniff label from terorir, as the mushroomy smell didn’t go down well in the US.

A big art lover, Bourillon’s cellar was a treasure trove of quirky works, including this trompe l’oeil of Marilyn Monroe.

If Carlsberg designed wine cellars…

Another of the arresting artworks

The artist’s blue period…

One of the more risqué works we discovered in the cellar. The work of a female artist, Bourillon was quick to confirm.

And finally, after all of that feeding of the soul, we were in great need of nourishment. Frédéric was happy to oblige, whipping up an exquisite feast of snails, prawns, magret de canard and lashings of Roquefort washed down with his La Coulée d’Or Molleux.