Our trip is starting to feel like a distant memory, so I thought I’d recap the remainder of it in hopes of re-living the experience.

Following our exploration of two of the famous Chenin Blanc regions, we headed to Chinon, which was just under an hour away from Amboise. There, we were in search of the famous Charles Jouget winery. We found it much more easily than anticipated, and headed into their wine cave for a memorable tasting. Starting with their Chinon Rosé, a bright and light 100% Cabernet Franc wine, we then tasted through five of their current releases of Chinon rouge, which is also 100% Cabernet Franc. We were then able to taste their Touraine whites, made from 100% Chenin Blanc. The most difficult part was making the decision about what to buy – they were all so delicious!

We then headed to our next home base, the city of Saumur, which is about an hour and a half east of Amboise. While the city was strangely void of people for its size, it was centrally located to the wine regions of Anjou-Saumur and Savennières. Arriving in Saumur before we could check into our hotel, we decided to explore the sparkling wine cave of Bouvet-Ladubay, just outside of Saumur.

We were able to take a tour, which went over the basics of the traditional Champagne method of making sparkling wine, then tasted through several of their wines. While none of the wines stood up the sparkling Chenin Blancs we had been able to taste in the Amboise area, it was interesting to see how a large company – they’re owned by United Breweries Group, which is most famous for the Indian beer Kingfisher – showcased wines of the region.

Our last full day in the Loire Valley, we decided to attempt to find Domaine des Baumard, one of my favorite Savennières producers, as well as the very highly regarded Nicholas Joly. Sadly, having decided against the GPS from the rental car company and having a terrible map of the region, we were not able to find either of these wineries. (That’s what we get for “winging it!”)

We did, however, find the lovely Château d’Epiré in the town of Savennières. And we were so happy we did! Tasting wine with the proprietor of the domaine in their winery, which was once a church (I’m guessing 1700s?), we were able to taste their 2001 Savennières, along with the current vintages and their red Cabernet Franc from Anjou. You can find their 2009 Savennières at Market of Choice Terwilliger, and may be able to find the rouge soon, as well. (We also carry Baumard’s Savennières.)

Sadly, our wine tasting excursion had come to an end, and the next day, we headed back to Paris to catch a flight to London for one last Indian dinner and a pint at a pub. It was an unforgettable trip, and fortunately, we brought back nine bottles of wine to remind us of it!