Loire Valley (wine) time in Angers (Anjou): With over planted under vine, the Loire Valley is about two-thirds the size of the Bordeaux wine region. Due to its location and marginal climate, the overall quality of a vintage has a dramatic effect on the quality of the region's wines—more so than with other French wine regions. The most common hazard is that the cool climate will prevent the grapes from ripening fully and developing the sugars needed to balance the naturally high acidity of the grapes. During these cool vintages the Sauvignon blanc based wines are lighter in color, less fruity and have
Chaumont-sur-Loire Chaumont-sur-Loire Chaumont-sur-Loire is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department in central France known for its historical defensive walls and its castle. The Chateau was founded by Odo 1 (973-996), Count of Blois. At each epoch of French history the Chateau has been owned, rented or visited by significant persons in French and European history. In the period between the late enlightenment and the romantic period, Germaine de Stael was resident from April to August 1810. Many famous guests visited the lively and politically active Madame de Stael including Madame Recamier, Adelbert Von Chamisso, the counts of Sabran Sala berry as