Travel Tips

In May 2006 I visited the Loire Valley in France. The main purpose of this trip was to buy some wines from local producers. Working from west to east, my plan was to locate Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) producers, one in the mornings and one in the afternoons. Having previously targeted a few producers for a selected number of AOCs, it was quite a challenge, but great fun, actually locating the producers. I did have some help in the form of my satellite navigation - I set it to the shortest route and it took me along some wonderfully scenic back roads that appeared to be little used by tourists.

My first target was to buy some Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie AOC and I set off from Ingrandes where I was staying at a simple Logis de France for two nights. It was a glorious morning, and being spring, the fields were so green. It was so peaceful, and fascinating to spot the different breeds of cows along the route. I was heading for Maisdon-sur-Sèvre, and looking for Domaine La Haute Févrie, the vigneron-récoltant being Claude Branger. The requisite wine was duly purchased.

After lunch in Cholet, and the purchase of a few bottles of lesser wines in a local hypermarket, it was off to get some Anjou-Villages AOC. To be continued.