Vouvray – 26 April to 3 May 2026

Another warm Spring day for our road trip up the A10 to Tours, to collect Gavan and Elaine. After a cooling wine in the old town, we made our way to the village of Vouvray, on the banks of the Loire River and into our BnB apartment. A very comfortable three story place, with 34 steps up to our bedroom on the top floor. A bottle of bubbles and a homemade quiche Lorraine helped with the planning for the rest of the week.

We had a memorable week of wine tasting, chateau visiting and cooking up dinners to enjoy with our collection of pétillant, Vouvray (chenin blanc) and nearby Chinon (Cabernet Franc).

Flashy’s view of Chateaux is a bit like his view on Cathedrals. One a trip does it. We did more than one and some were better than others. Some very lovely gardens and not too crowded but we returned each afternoon knowing that we had walked 10,000+ steps and 100+ stairs.

The Loire Valley, a paradise for wine enthusiasts, and the longest wine region in France, encompassing 55,000 hectares of vineyards and 800km of wine routes.  

What makes the Loire Valley stand out in the world of wine is its incredible range of flavours. White wine lovers will rejoice in the crisp, aromatic Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, Vouvray’s Chenin Blanc offers notes ranging from dry to honey sweet in sparkling and still wine.

The red wines, especially from regions like nearby Chinon, Samaur and Bourgueil, offer beautifully structured Cabernet Franc wines. These reds are known for their balanced tannins and berry flavours.

On Sunday, we departed after a week of warm dry weather, into rain some of the way to La Rochelle, where we collected Emma Louise and headed back to LPR.  Lady P’s delicious Vichyssoise and smoked duck breast from our Limoges trip, with a baguette for lunch; a long walk in the countryside and we are back to normal at our little maison.

A Chateau.
A garden sculpture.
 

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