Céline Champalou

After the Puzelats we headed westwards along the Loire past Amboise to Husseau where we saw Frantz Saumon and tasted his current range of wines. Next on to Vouvray and Domaine Champalou where we saw Céline Champalou as her parents – Catherine and Didier – were away in Lyon for a tasting and lunch at Bocuse to mark the selection of their sparkling Vouvray for a prize.

Sign@Frantz Saumon

Two empty bottles@Frantz Saumon inc a magnum of Morgon from Marcel Lapierre

We then had time for a quick visit to the new premises of Château Gaudrelle in Rochecorbon and see Alexandre Monmousseau. Alexandre said he was stunned by how quickly this year's grapes were developing. "I have to keep pinching myself to make sure that I'm not dreaming!" He made an interesting observation on the possible effect of the flowering before the summer solstice. "Normally the flowering isn't finished until after the summer solstice when the length of the days are already starting to decline. This year the vines will have an additional 20-25 days during the period of maximum light. We don't know what effect this will have."

Alexandre opening a Vouvray and checking the cork

In the cellars of Gaudrelle

Then it was back to Montlouis to see Ludovic Chanson, whose wines I first tasted at this year's Salon des Vins de Loire. Having tasted his full range I remain impressed, especially with his Montlouis. Clearly yet another emerging star in Montlouis!

Ludovic Chanson

Bertrand Jousset cultivating his vines near Husseau

Alexandre Monmousseau, Eric Pasquier and the dumper trunk driver@the entrance to the cellars

A visit this afternoon to the new cellars of Château Gaudrelle in Rochecorbon. His family's desire to sell Château Gaudrelle in Vouvray meant that Alexandre Monmousseau had to find somewhere else to make his wine, although he kept the vineyards and the right to the name Château Gaudrelle. By happy chance to found these cellars at the western end of Rochecorbon.

The new site of Château Gaudrelle@12 Quai de la Loire, Rochecorbon

Work going on in the cellars

Entrance to the cellars autrefois: Brouette Petit-Fils

Celestine of Simon and Susan fame (Days on the Claise)

To be finished: