"Archaeological evidence suggest that the Romans planted the first vineyards in the Loire Valley during their settlement
of Gaul in the 1st century AD. By the 5th century, the flourishing viticulture of the area was noted in a publication by
the poet Sidonius Apollinaris. Bishop Gregory of Tours wrote of the frequent plundering by the Bretons of
the area's wine stocks. By the 11th century the wines of Sancerre had a reputation across Europe for their high quality. In the
High Middle Ages, the wines of the Loire Valley were the most esteemed wines in England and France, even more prized than those from
Bordeaux."*
We will pair some selections to taste and compare stylistic differences as well as the subtle effects of terroir.
Hoke Harden will be your guide and sommelier. He is a Certified Specialist of Wine, attended the FWS Master Program for Vins de
Provence and the Maison de Rosé, is a US Ambassador for Pineau des Charentes, and a BNIC Certified Cognac Educator.
We will be tasting:
• Louis Metaireau Muscadet Sur Lie, Sèvre et Maine, Le Petit Mouton 2020
• Domaine Michel Bregeon, Sèvre et Maine, Cru Muscadet Clisson La Movette 2021
• Domaine Pierres Écrites, Empreintes, Montlouis sur Loire 2021
• Jean-Maurice Raffault Chinon Blanc 2023
• Le Petite Silex Sancerre 2020
• Jean-Francois Meriau Gamay, Les Bois Jacou, Touraine 2022
• Jean-Maurice Raffault Chinon, Les Galuches Rouge 2022
• C. & P. Breton Chinon, Les Beaux Monts 2022
• La Retro Les Années Folles Blanche
*History of Loire wine thanks to Wikipedia.
The Alliance Wine Club meets monthly,
usually on the third Sunday of the month.
(And for the occasional bonus event.)
Taste some truly luscious wines from the Loire Valley on Sunday, September 22, from 3:30-5:30 at the Alliance Française,
1425 SW 20th Avenue, Portland 97201.
General admission is $45, with a $5 discount automatically applied for current Alliance members.