Loire Valley Wine Fair, Angers (49)

On Tuesday Gérald and I visited the Loire Valley Wine Fair in Angers (49).  Now in its 26th year the Salon des Vins de Loire is the largest single gathering of Loire Valley wine producers (550 vignerons) and certainly a date in the diary for wine importers, retail and commerce.

Set in two great halls the wine fair is an impressive sight, and it was our objective to source new wines for Bistrot Les Tontons, our wine bar in Saumur and for Ten Green Bottles, with whom we are in partnership with, and have a wine bar, The Wine Shop & Tasting Room in Brighton, UK.

On a social level the wine fair is a great opportunity for us to catch up with the wine producers we work closely with.

One Domaine in particular is Domaine de la Paleine located in Le Puy Notre-Dame (49), AOC Saumur & AOC Saumur-Puy-Notre-Dame, and whose award winning wines are served, and can be purchased, at Bistrot Les Tontons.

Congratulations!! For 2012 Domaine de la Paleine was awarded the : Ligers d'Argent & Ligers de Bronze for the quality of its wines.

Owned by Marc & Laurent Vincent, Domaine de la Paleine continues to be represented at salon des vins, wine fairs, by Gérald.

And today whilst talking with Marc we sampled new vintages of favoured wines which we have followed for over 10 years.

Next we headed to see Le Petit Saint Vincent, Varrains (49), AOC Saumur-Champigny, whose wines are served at Bistrot Les Tontons.

Albeit not photographed Le Petit Saint Vincent produces a divine sparkling rosé, which was in great demand throughout last summer.

A Domaine whose wines have been produced by the same family for four generations and whose vines age between 30 and 80 years old.

The wines were a pleasure for me to sample, in particular the 2010 chenin!