Loire Valley Wine Dinner at Balzac

Brasserie Balzac
Tasted Wednesday, February 19, 2014 by Derek Darth Taster with 309 views

Introduction

Introduction to Loire Valley wines with 2 whites and 2 reds. Biodynamic and organic wines, which are very common in the Loire.

Flight 1 (4 Notes)

  • NV Domaine Amirault Crémant de Loire Cuvée Ronsard Clos des Quarterons

    France, Loire Valley, Crémant de Loire

    80% Chenin Blanc, 20% Chardonnay. Biodynamic sparkling made by méthode champenoise. Shimmering yellow colour. Muted nose, slowly opened up a bit with more air to reveal clean fresh fruit. Mild lemon on the palate. With more air, became a little more fruity. High acidity cut through the goat cheese served as appetizer. Overall a clean and fresh apéritif wine.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2012 Château de la Bonneliere Sauvignon Touraine Les Devants de la Bonnelière

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine

    100% Sauvignon Blanc. Organic. Mild flint on the nose. Rather lean on the palate, with just a hint of fruits. A far cry from the forward tasting Savignon Blancs of New Zealand. What it has though is an understated elegance. This paired excellently with oven baked tiger prawns and sauteed rice with bits of pistachio. Absolutely enhanced the flavour of the prawns and the nutty rice. The flavour of the prawn became supercharged. Best food-wine pairing of the night.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2012 Domaine de Noiré Chinon Soif de Tendresse

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

    100% Cabernet Franc. Organic.
    Aromas of wildflowers on the nose, quite similar to some flowery Northern Rhone Syrahs. Fresh red berry flavour on the palate. Very light-weight tannins.
    With more air, this developed spices on the palate, and a salty saline minerality. The characteristic Cab Franc green leafy notes started to appear. Nose was constantly evolving over the course of the dinner. There was an interesting smell of printer paper at one point. Eventually, final nose of antelope horn (ling yang).

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2011 Domaine Amirault Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil Les Clos des Quarterons

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil

    100% Cabernet Franc. Biodynamic.
    Nose of dried Chinese herbs and ginseng. On the palate, lots of Cab Franc green leafy flavours, ginseng, and some raspberries. Soft tannins and mild spice on the finish. Long finish.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Closing

Service at Balzac was excellent. Food was good.

×
×