2008 Le Piloris Pinot Noir, AC Touraine, Jacky and Pascal Preys

When first opened at around or slightly below room temperature, this 2008 Pinot Noir from Jacky and Pascal Preys had rather marked acidity with its vibrant red fruits. Chilled down several degrees to I guess around 12-13˚C it became thoroughly delicious with the acidity and fruit nicely in balance.
  
By rights I should have tested the temperature before and after but I'm afraid I did neither as I was more concerned with sorting out something to drink with dinner. 

Incidentally pure Pinot Noir will no longer be tolerated in Touraine's New World Order. Yet the Preys' home town of Meusnes in eastern part of Touraine is close to Reuilly (45K) with Pinot Noir approved for the reds under the AC rules.    

 

Sauvignon  Blanc@Jacky Preys

Empyting a picking machine@Jean-François Merieau

This week has seen most Touraine producers start picking with some, like Vincent Ricard, accelerating following the heavy rain Thursday night/ early Friday morning.

This afternoon we had a quick drive round to see a number of producers – just dropping in to see how the harvest was progressing.

Joël Delaunay on his picking machine (La Tesnière, Pouillé)

Jean-Christophe Mandard (Mareuil) measuring the potential alcohol in his Sauvignon Blanc juice

 

Jacky  Preys (Meusnes) watching Sauvignon Blanc grapes being unloaded

Sunday night's apero: 2007 Cuvée de Fié Gris VV Touraine Domaine Jacky Preys. Made from Sauvignon Rosé (also called Fie Gris and Sauvignon Gris) which is more gentle and less assertive than many a Sauvignon Blanc. Jacky has been in the forefront of the revivial of interest in this grape variety. The vines are planted in flinty soil.

Unfortunately I understand that the new AC Touraine regulations will not permit 100% Sauvignon Rose. Just another example of how daft the new rules are.   

Off to Les Caves de Pyrène tasting later today. Will be interesting as always and interesting to see how many producers will have been able to make it over.