Local Specialities

Most wineries here will do tastings, show you the chai (wine making facility) and sell direct to the public, but most don't go beyond that. Recently some of the more switched on ones who are interested in attracting a bigger share of the tourist market are starting to offer more elaborate tastings. Our favourite, Chateau Gaudrelle, is one of these.

 Rillettes and Sainte Maure de Touraine goat cheese.

You can visit their caves, on appointment, tour the wine making facility and cellar and taste wine along with a selection of cheeses or local specialities. The cheeses are carefully chosen by Eric, one of the partners, as he is also a cheesemonger. They include a goat cheese (eg Selles sur Cher, from Fromagerie Moreau), a Comté and a blue (eg Forme d'Ambert) which are then matched with the Gaudrelle range of Vouvray wines. The cost per person is €20.

Cyril, the cellar master, pours wine for the Charles Hastings Wine Club.

The local specialities are rillettes from a small nearby charcuterie and Sainte Maure de Touraine goat cheese. The cost per person is €8.50.

 A typical chenin blanc vine, pruned to the required 'goblet' shape.

You can also do a VIP visit, which includes cheese with the tasting and a guided visit to the vines for €30 per head. It's a lot of fun, incredibly informative and makes a great morning or afternoon out. 

All the Chateau Gaudrelle staff speak good English.

**************************************

For details of our private guided tours of chateaux, wineries, markets and more please visit the Loire Valley Time Travel website. We would be delighted to design a tour for you.