Château de la Roulerie
There are very few vinous stories in the Loire Valley that originate in Bordeaux. Some touch on that region of course; it is easy to forget, as an example, that ultra-natural winemaker Mark Angeli undertook his studies at the oenological lycée based at Château La Tour Blanche before moving to take up residence at La Ferme de la Sansonnière in Thouarcé. It is perhaps not so easy to overlook the influence Bordeaux has had upon the work of Philippe Alliet; his frequent visits to the region provided an obvious source of inspiration for him, apparent when tasting his wines.
Accepting these notable cases, there are few stories that truly begin in Bordeaux, fewer still that are rooted there for a century before the Loire Valley even makes an appearance. And those stories that straddle the two regions, with domaines situated in both, must be very rare. But the Germain family, currently in charge of two noteworthy domaines in Anjou and Saumur, certainly do begin their story in Bordeaux. And what is more, not only were they Bordeaux vignerons for many decades before they branched out in the Loire, they still have a firm foothold in that region today.
Please log in to continue reading: