The art of living – that’s the magic phrase in the vineyards of the Loire Valley! Witness the numerous estates that celebrate the terroir with pairings based on the region’s finest dishes and top wines.
Château Gaudrelle, situated in Rochecorbon not far from Tours, has concocted a workshop for all gourmet cooks! A chef from Touraine hosts cooking lessons in the intimate ambiance of one of the troglodyte galleries on the property. Utensils in hand, participants follow his guidance and advice as they make recipes showcasing fresh, local and seasonal products. At the end of the workshop, the apprentice cooks cast off their aprons and pull up a chair to eat. The meal is an opportunity to exchange ideas in a friendly atmosphere and taste the dishes they’ve prepared, all washed down with a selection of house wines.
At Domain du Viking in Reugny, it's the AOP Vouvray that comes under the spotlight! Several tasting packages are available that will introduce you to the vineyard’s iconic wine. And a cheese platter with four food and wine pairings means you’ll be able to enjoy the appellation in all its aspects. Aficionados of sweet white wines can also take delight in some refined amuse-bouches while savouring a vertical tasting of eight cuvées produced on the estate over the years.
When it comes to the Pays de la Loire, other domains offer visitors tasty breaks. This is the case, for instance, at Château de la Ragotière, where you can discover five perfect pairings from the most classic to the most surprising on a gourmet workshop devoted to white wine and cheese. The Orée du Sabia cellar in Brem-sur-Mer is a veritable showcase of local wines and hand-crafted products. The sunny terrace is the venue for aperitif tastings that are organised to highlight all the riches of the local terroir. While the kids have fun playing the games provided just for them, parents and friends can relish a genuinely sociable time in each other’s company.
The winegrowers of the Loire Valley are certain of one thing: it is by marrying wine and gastronomy that their region’s best dishes reveal the wealth of their cuvées!
