Better late than never, I am posting some info about my annual visit to the wine fair at Angers.
My first impression having arrived at 2.30pm on the first day was 'hell there is nobody here, perhaps people really are bored with French wine', or maybe it`s only zealous idiots like me that go every year to see if we can find a wine that truly inspires us!!
Anyway my second call afternoon that was truly inspirational and set the bench mark for the rest of the visit.
Jacques Salle who is the master behind 'Silice & Compagnie, is that rare phenomenon in the Loire, who vinifies everything in wood, whether you like it or not. Very very good wood. Oh what a glorious wine is his 'Silice de Quincy 2003' if I should be lucky enough to be able to buy just a small quantity of this wine I wonder if any of you out there will have the nerve to say 'to hell with the expense, I will go for it.' I promise you will not regret the decision. Truly delicious, mouthwatering sauvignon, with ripe fruit concentration all in beautiful balance and harmony with the wood!!!
There were other producers whose white wines were very good, you will find them on the web site, as most of the whites were a decent notch better than the 2004`s. Not so for the reds, the Pinot and Gamay were a little dilute for my taste, no fruit concentration, although I did find a really well made 'Cot' which I will be buying.
So to sum up and shut up, whites better than 2004 more acidity etc, reds, well not enough sunshine and or not good enough wine making skills. Bye for now.