Friday, March 29, 2024

A Journey through the Vineyards of the Loire Valley - Tasting at the Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar, led by Annette Schiller (March 2024)






On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, Annette Schiller led a Loire Valley tasting at the Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar. The event was well attended with about 70 participants. 

Invitation

Dear wine friends,

I would like to remind you to join us tomorrow Tuesday, March 26 at 7.45 pm at St. Patricks Episcopal Church at 4700 Whitehaven Pky, Washington DC, for a journey through the vineyards of the Loire Valley. The Loire belongs to France's Crown Jewels. For centuries, French kings have spent their summers on the banks of the lovely Loire River and drank the wonderful wines that grow in the region. Still today their magnificent Châteaux and the fantastic wines are attractions for every visitor. 

The Loire Valley is a vast wine region stretching for about 600 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Auvergne mountains. There are five main, distinctively different wine regions, each with its own characteristic grapes, appellations, and wine style. 
 
We will have the following wines:
- 2019 Muscadet Sévre et Maine sur Lie, Clos Perraud
- 2021 Vouvray Cuvée de Silex, Domaine des Aubusières
- 2021 Côteaux du Giennois (Sancerre), Fernand & Fils
- 2019 “Les Cornuelles”, Chinon, Château de la Bonnetière, Marc Plouzeau
- 2019 “Les Terrages”, Saumur-Champigny, Clotilde Legrand

The Loire Valley wine region is a complex region: there is no varietal or style to associate with, which makes it difficult to clearly put a mark on the region. That's why this incredibly beautiful region is so very interesting to discover and to explore. The Loire Valley wines also provide the best value in terms of drinking pleasure / price. 

Christian and I travelled to the Loire Valley in February to tie last strings for the upcoming wine tour to the Loire in June. We were smitten with the quality of the wines across the board.

The Loire Valley is not just heaven for wine lovers it is also heaven for cheese mongers. We will have 2 cheeses : a "Chèvre Boucheron" and a cow milk cheese “St.Nectaire" and of course there will be delicious baguette from Calvert-Woodley.

 

This is a $25 tasting.

 

Join me on this discovery tour.
 
Annette
 
The Event 
 
The event was well attended with more than 70 participants. There were 9 tables with 8 participants each, 1 bottle of the 5 wines for each table, 2 baguettes and 2 cheeses.













Baguettes and 2 Cheeses from Calvert & Woodley

 

5 Wines 




White

- 2019 Muscadet Sévre et Maine sur Lie, Clos Perraud
- 2021 Vouvray Cuvée de Silex, Domaine des Aubusières
- 2021 Côteaux du Giennois (Sancerre), Fernand & Fils

Red

- 2019 “Les Cornuelles”, Chinon, Château de la Bonnetière, Marc Plouzeau
- 2019 “Les Terrages”, Saumur-Champigny, Clotilde Legrand


LOIRE VALLEY by ombiasy WineTours: Sunday, June 09 - Thursday June 20, 2024 
 
Annette Schiller: What comes to your mind when you hear ‘Loire Valley’? Of course images of glorious Châteaux pop up in your mind. Yes that is true and we will visit some iconic château and dig deep into France’s history. However, during this wine tour we also discover a magnificent, but often overlooked French wine region and one of the most exciting best kept secrets of excellent, high quality wines at very reasonable prices. The Loire Valley wine region is a vast area and consists of several distinct wine regions, each with its own characteristic grapes, appellations, and wine style. We take you on a journey from the Atlantic Ocean to the Auvergne mountains to explore this unique region. We learn to appreciate “Sancerre”, "Pouilly-Fumé", “Vouvray", “Chinon”, as well as many other not so familiar appellations.

See: Announcement: Loire Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours (Sunday, June 09 - Thursday June 20, 2024) 










  
   

 
Postings on Schiller-wine Related to the Upcoming 2024 Loire Trip by ombiasy WineTours
 
This is the 18th in a series of postings on Schiller-wine related to the 2024 Loire Valley Trip by ombiasy WineTours in June.
 
A Journey Through The Loire Valley - Seminar at the 2023 American Wine Society National Conference in St. Louis/ Missouri/ USA led by Annette Schiller

Plateau des Fruits de Mer and a Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie at Historic Brasserie Cigale in Nantes, Loire Valley, France (February 2024)
 
Announcement: Loire Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours (Sunday, June 09 - Thursday June 20, 2024)
 
Salons des Vins - all with a Focus on Natural, Organic, Biodynamic and Low-intervention Producers in the Loire Valley and elsewhere in France and Europe - in February in Angers and Samour, Loire Valley, France (February 2024)
 
 
Announcement: "The Wines of the Loire Valley" presented by Annette Schiller at the American Wine Society/ Northern Virginia Chapter on March 8, 2024
 
Visiting Natural Wine Producer Liv Vincendeau - Domäne Vincendeau in Rochefort sur Loire/ Anjou (February 2024) 
 
 
 
Moon - Monks - Michelin: Overnight stay and 1-star Michelin Dinner at the Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, with Chef Thibaut Ruggeri (February 2024)
 
Fine de Claire, #3 Oysters from Cancale, the Oyster Capital of Brittany, and a 2022 Domaine Henry Pellé, Menetou-Salon, Saugnon-Blanc in Tours, Loire Valley, France (February 2024)
 
At Château de Pray, a Loire Château from the 12th Century and a Michelin Star: Overnight Stay and High-end Dinner in an Historic Setting (February 2024)
 
A Journey through the Loire Valley - Tasting at the American Wine Society (Northern Virginia Chapter), led by Annette Schiller (March 2024)
 
Château de Chambord - Not only a Famous Loire Palace, but also an AOC Cheverny Wine Producer
 
 
Dinner at Au P'tit Goûter - a Friendly Little Bistro right in the Middle of Chavignol, Sancerre, Loire Valley - with Front-of-the-house Jérémy, Chef Jérôme Germain and Tuscany (February 2024)
 
 
The Loire Valley: Not only a Paradise for Castle Buffs and Wine Enthusiasts, but also .... for Cheese Lovers

 


Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Wines of Tenuta Torciano in the Chianti Region in Italy: Tasting at the American Wine Society (John Marshall Chapter, Chair: Douglas Beakes), led by Tommaso Saltarelli (March 2024)




Tenuta Torciani, a wine producer based in the Chianti region in Italy, presented its wines at the March 2024 meeting of the of the John Marshall Chapter of the American Wine Society. Tommaso Saltarelli led the tasting. 

The John Marshall Chapter meets at Pearmund Cellars in Virginia. Douglas Beakes is the Chapter Chair.

Tenuta Torciani uses an unusual sales concept to sell its wines by only selling directly to the consumer. Thus, you will not find Tenuta Torciani wines at retail stores nor at restaurants or wine bars. 

80% of the production goes to the US market.

Tenuta Torciani

It was founded in 1720 by Bartolomeo Giachi, who left Florence to move to San Gimignano in the locality of Ulignano, settling in a property which included land with a very high wine vocation. Including the strategic importance of the territory, he erected the first walls here close to the Via Francigena ; the place where to lay the first stone was baptized by him "Tenuta Torciano" since it is located on the lands bathed by the ancient torrent "Borro di Torciano" .

Tenuta Torciano develops also thanks to its proximity to the Magione di Torre, the La Scala hospital and the Cistercian monks' monastery. Its wines, chianti and vernaccia, together with the appreciated hospitality, made so that the company became known throughout the region for the production and sale of wine and oil.

The 13 Generations and the Company Today

The production is is handed down from father to son for 13 generations and, still today, is all made in Tuscany . The company counts more of 125 employees, working in wineries, wine bars, shops, hotels and warehouses with offices in America.

The development of the last few years has is concentrated on foreign markets: 80% of sales are recorded in the North America area, where is rented our company of Northbrook, owner of over 42 licenses for the distribution of wine to private consumers in the US.

Next, 5% of sales in Brazil, 2% in Asian countries - in particular South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong - 2% in Europe and 1% in the Middle East .

In Tuscany our wines and oils of the highest quality are born and is here are the vineyards and olive groves of the Estate , which cover many hectares of land; Although still a small number compared to the cultivations of the great wine giants - such as Marchesi Antinori and Marchesi Frescobaldi - but which certainly distinguishes a production focused on the qualitative aspect of the product.

Wine searcher/ Tenuat Torciano

Tenuta Torciano Winery is located in Tuscany, close to the famous medieval village of San Gimignano. It produces a range of both red and white wines, covering many well-known Tuscan denominations.

The list includes a Vernaccia di San Gimignano white wine, as well as the classic red Chianti and Chianti Classico (normale and riserva) offerings. Other wines include a Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino; Rosso and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano; wines from Bolgheri; and several other Tuscan blends.

At the pinnacle is a collection of Super Tuscans: Bartolomeo, Cavaliere and Baldassarre; all three are Sangiovese-based. The luxury Gioiello collection, meanwhile, features very distinctive leather labels.

Owners the Giachi family have been involved in wine production since 1720, when Bartolomeo Giachi moved to the area from Florence. In 2020 Pierluigi Giachi and his family celebrated the 300th anniversary of the business.

Forbes (2017) Artisans Of Business: A Look At The Tuscan Way Of Winemaking

...To kick off the series, I had the pleasure of meeting Pierluigi Giachi, the owner of Tenuta Torciano Winery, at his home in San Gimignano, Italy. The winery was founded in 1720 and has been in the Giachi family for 15 generations. Since he took over the business, Giachi has taken the company from producing 5,000 bottles of wine per year with five employees to producing more than 700,000 bottles of wine per year with 50 employees. He grew the business by taking a leap into a direct-to-consumer business model. An American businessman encouraged him to cut out the middleman and ship his product to the consumer the fastest way possible. Thirty years ago, it was a quite a risk. This was before the Internet made such business models easier to navigate. But Giachi took the plunge and became the first winemaker in Italy to sell wine directly to the consumer. That decision helped him grow the business while still staying true to the traditions and quality of the past. Giachi shares his business philosophy, offers insight into how he balances tradition with new technology and explains how the Tuscan way of life is embedded into his business.

Family is at the heart of the Tenuta Torciano Winery and it’s one of the reasons that the business is so successful. There are approximately 25 immediate family members who are employed by the winery and Giachi works in tandem with his wife (Luciana) and son (Emanuele). “Were it not for my relatives 15 generations ago taking it upon themselves to create this legacy, we would not be where we are today,” says Giachi. “It’s the fact that this winery is engrained in my family’s blood that drives my passion and desire to share our magical property and products with the world.”

However, a lot has changed since the winery opened 300 years ago. Giachi now has access to machinery and supplies that aid in the production of winemaking like streamlining the fermentation process. But he has not lost sight of the value and quality of traditional winemaking. In fact, the overall methodology of the winery is still the same as it was when it first opened, notes Giachi. For instance, they still carefully pick each grape by hand and make sure the grapes have ample time to ferment in the cellar. “The ancient art is still deeply rooted in the same historic process,” he says.

Those traditions help the winery blend luxury with an artisanal product that you can only find in Tuscany. Its products embody exclusivity, originality and excellence. They can create handmade wine labels to suit any occasion and offer guests the opportunity to truly experience Tuscany through a variety of activities, such as a traditional truffle hunt, horseback riding through the countryside or a stroll through the vineyards. The idea is to help guests breathe in Tuscany and enjoy the views, tastes, sounds and smells. “Our love and passion for wine—truly experiencing wine and focusing on the moment in which it’s enjoyed—is what really sets us apart,” says Giachi.

Meeting at Pearmund Cellars in Virginia


Tasting with Tommaso Saltarelli









The Wines

Amerigo

We had a discussion about the Amerigo wine. I quote from the producer's web site: The Amerigo wine are transported from Italy in tanks, and bottled at the Bellavini winery in Ukiah, California. This is an effort to be more environmentally sustainable. By transporting the wine in bulk, and to not ship glass, boxes or corks, the carbon emission rate is much reduced. The larger volume in the tanks also means that the quality of the wine remains intact, and aromas and flavors are just as fresh as when the day it left Tuscany. 

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