A FAMILY ESTATE FOR FIVE GENERATIONS When established in the 1870s, the Estate originally totalled 8 to 10 acres (3 to 4 hectares). At first, the Estate produced mainly dry and sweet white wines. The Estate has subsequently developed and extended its range of products by planting new grape varieties destined to the production of rosé wines (Cabernet d’Anjou and Rosé de Loire) and red wines (Anjou Rouge and Anjou Villages). Since the Estate was created our work has changed very little, but new techniques improving the quality of grapes and therefore the quality of wine have been introduced : - grassing over between rows of vine which reduces standing water during rainy periods and provides competition for the vines so as to produce better quality grapes - removing exess leaves around grapes thus exposing them to more sunlight and improving their ripening and increasing their flavour - harvesting of some unripened grapes to limit the final yeald - selective picking to use only the best grapes for our wines For over one hundred years, our family has devoted its efforts to the Layon Vine and Wines. Each generation has helped to further the success of the Vineyard and today we are continuing in our efforts to maintain and develop our reputation. Visits to our cellar and wine tasting The estate has always sold its wine directly to consumers. If you have the opportunity of coming to our estate, we would be delighted to welcome you. We can offer a tour of the Estate, organize the tasting of our wines, explain the production process and show you the vineyards. We would be happy to answer any questions and share our passion with you.. In order to accommodate camper-vans and caravans we have set up a welcome area with picnic facilities. Our region offers various possibilities for tourists: -Vinyard route (a signposted road to follow by car) -A number of nearby châteaux -Various walking and cycling routes in the vineyards -Tours of old manor-houses -Boat-rides on the River Layon and canoeing on the River Louet -The valley of the Loire is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site The Estate is open from Monday to Saturday (9am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 7pm) and on Sundays by appointment. For groups, please contact us in advance to arrange your visit. OUR PRODUCTS White wines : Anjou blanc - Light and supple Type of wine : dry white wine Grape variety : chenin 100% Tasting notes: pale green to golden yellow colour, delicate nose combining flowery and citrus notes. Soft and round in the mouth, dry yet not agressive (low acidity). To be served at 10°C : goes perfectly well with fish, seafood, mixed raw vegetable salads, asparagus.... Laying down : to make the most of its qualities, best consumed within 3 years. Can be kept for up to10 years. Méthode traditionnelle brut ou ½ sec - Party wine "par excellence" Type of wine : dry sparkling wine (semi-dry or dry) Grape variety : chenin 100% Tasting notes: Shiny, sparkling colour, delicately fizzy. Finely aromatic with flowery nose To be served at 8°C : perfect party wine, to be served chilled as an aperitif, on its own or in a a kir. Very refreshing with desserts. Laying down : to be drunk within 2 years. Rosé wines : Cabernet d’Anjou - Fruity and refreshing Type of wine : semi-dry rosé Grape variety : cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon Tasting notes: crimson colour, sometimes salmony pink. Goes down smoothly, mild and elegant, notted for its finesse and fruity taste. To be served at 8°C : serve it as an aperitif, with warm starters, with paultry or with spicy dishes. A wine to drink with friends at any time. Laying down : to be drunk within 4 years Rosé de Loire - Supple and refreshing Type of wine : dry rosé wine Grape variety : cabernet 30%, grolleau 70% Tasting notes: raspberry colour with orange glints. Very aromatic - strawberry, rasberry, redcurrant, violet and "English candy" scented. Light supple and refreshing. To be served at 8°C : goes well with cold buffets, picnic lunches, barbecue, ham, sausages, salami and other cold meats, starters ... Laying down : to be drunk while young Red wines Anjou rouge - Red fruit aroma Type of wine : round and fruity red wine Grape variety : cabernet franc 70%, cabernet sauvignon 30% Tasting notes: cherry coloured and cherry scented , slightly spicy ( pepper, cinnamon). Round and fruity in the mouth. To be served at 15 or 16°C : perfect partner for buffets, cold meats, cheese, quiches, pies, grilled fish, meat. Laying down: drink it while young or let it age for up to six years Anjou Villages - Strong character wine Type of wine : robust and fleshy red wine Grape variety : cabernet franc 30%, cabernet sauvignon 70% Tasting notes : deep and dense ruby colour. Complex and powerful aroma, combining scents of red and black berries (blackberry, blackcurrant, bilberry). Full, rich taste with a fine touch of tannin. To be served at 16 or 18°C : this wine is at its best advantage with game, red meat with sauce, roasted red meat and strong cheese Laying down : Fully mature after 3 or 4 years, but can be safely kept for up to 8 years Sweet white wines : The Coteaux du Layon wines are made from grapes grown on different soils and therefore with different characteristics (Layon, Layon Villages, Chaume ) These wines are made from chenin grape variety only. Harvesting is done by selective and successive picking when grapes are covered with botrytis (noble rot) and dissicated by over-maturation and wind. Our Estate produces a range of sweet white wines from very light to very sweet and strong. Coteaux du Layon Sweet and fresh Type of wine : sweet white wine ( fresh and well balanced) Grape variety : Chenin 100% harvested by selective, successive picking of noble-rotted grapes Tasting notes: pale yellow to straw yellow colour. Light, flowery nose with a touch of citrus. Fresh, sweet and lively, well balanced wine, easy to drink. To be served at 8°C : as an aperitif or with foie gras, some fish dishes with sauce, warm asparagus, pastries, gingerbread ... Laying down : can be drunk while still young or after a few years of ageing Coteaux du Layon Beaulieu Harmonious and unctuous Type of wine : sweet white wine Grape variety : chenin 100% Tasting notes : straw yellow to golden yellow colour. Delicate, fruity nose with notes of apricot, quince and cooked apple. Sweet,long and unctuous on the palate, echoing the fruity notes of its nose. To be served at 8°C : as an aperitif or with foie gras, blue cheese, ice-cream, sorbet or slightly acid tartes. Laying down : can be kept for up to 5 years; good vintage wines will keep for several decades Coteaux du Layon Saint Aubin Complex and generous Type of wine : sweet white wine Grape variety : chenin 100% Tasting notes: straw yellow to golden yellow colour. Vigourous and fragrant nose with flowery and fruity notes (peach, pear ...).Perfumed and complex on the palate, it echoes the fruitiness of its nose and finishes with a mineral touch. To be served at 8°C : can be served as an aperitif, with foie gras, blue cheese, ice-cream, sorbet or slightly acid tartes. Laying down : can be kept for up to 5 years; good vintage wines will keep for several decades Chaume Strong and powerful Type of wine : sweet white wine Grape variety : chenin 100% Tasting notes : golden yellow to amber yellow colour . Intense , rich nose with notes of exotic and yellow fruit and honey-scented. Rich and full in the mouth, it echoes the particularly persistant fruity notes of its aroma. To be served at 10°C : can be served as an aperitif, with foie gras, blue cheese, ice-cream, sorbet or cinnamon and ginger flavoured desserts. Laying down : can be kept for up to 5 years; good vintage wines will keep for several decades. Chaume « Cuvée » - Intense and complex Circumstances permitting, we produce a Chaume "Cuvée" which is the most concentrated vintage of the kind. Type of wine : sweet white wine Grape variety : chenin 100% Tasting notes : yellow to copper yellow colour. Dried figs and raisins perfumed. Rich in the mouth with the taste of crystallized or stewed fruit and fruit cheese. To be served at 10°C : a wine to discover and savour; sip it on its own and share it with your family and friends Laying down : delicious when young it will continue improving for 10 to 20 years Competitions and awards Sweet white wines - Chaume l er Cru 2003 Gold medal, Mâcon - Chaume l er Cru 2003 Silver medal, Brussels - Chaume l er Cru 2003 Gold medal, Vins du Val de Loire - Chaume l er Cru 2003 Cuvée des Onnis Guide Hachette 2006 - Coteaux du Layon Saint Aubin 2005 Guide Hachette 2007 - Coteaux du Layon Beaulieu 2005 Guide Hachette 2008 - Coteaux du Layon Chaume 2005 Silver medal, Vignerons Indépendants - Coteaux du Layon Chaume 2005 Silver medal, Interloire - Coteaux du Layon Chaume 2005 Silver medal, Vins du Val de Loire - Coteaux du Layon Cuvée Thalia 2005 Bronze medal, Mâcon - Coteaux du Layon Cuvée Thalia 2005 Gold medal, Vignerons Indépendants White and rosé wines - Anjou blanc 2006 Silver medal, Mâcon - Caberbet d'Anjou 2006 Silver medal, Mâcon Red wines - Anjou Villages 2002 Bronze medal, Mâcon - Anjou Rouge 2003 Silver medal, Vins du Val de Loire - Anjou Villages 2004 Guide Hachette 2007 - Anjou Rouge 2005 Bronze medal, Mâcon - Anjou Villages 2005 Bronze medal, Vins du Val de Loire News, events and fairs - 3rd and 4th March 2007: Foire aux Vins et Produits Régionaux (Wines and Regional Produce Fair) in Avoise (72) - 20th, 21st and 22nd July 2007: 20ème Festival des Vins de Loire (20th Wines of the Loire Festival) in Saint Gilles Croix de Vie (85) - 26th August 2007: Foire aux Vins aux produits Régionaux et aux produits Biologiques (Wines, Regional Produce and Organic Products Fair) in Notre Dame de Sanilhac (24) - 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th October 2007: Salon du Vin et de la Bière et des Produits Régionaux (Wine and Beer and Regional Produce Fair in Dunkerque (59) - 3rd and 4th November 2007: 12ème Foire aux Vins de France et à la Gastronomie de Terroir (12th Wines of France and Local Food Products Fair) in Autun (71) - 10th and 11th November 2007: Vins et Produits du Terroir (Wine and Local Products) in Châteauneuf sur Loire (45) - 23rd and 24th November 2007: Salon Mer & Vigne et Gastronomie (Sea, Wine and Gastronomy Fair) in Maison-Laffitte (69) - 6th – 9th December 2007, Marché de Noël (Christmas Market) in Laval (53) - 14th, 15th and 16th December 2007: Salon de la Gastronomie (Gastronomy Fair) in St Etienne (42) - 4th, 5th and 6th February 2008: Salon des Vins de Loire (Wines of the Loire) in Angers (49) - 4th – 6th April 2008: Salon Mer & Vigne et Gastronomie (Sea, Wine and Gastronomy Fair) in Prevessin-Moëns (69) - 25th, 26th and 27th April 2008: Salon « Le Temps des Mets » ("Delicacy-Time") in Dunkerque (59)
Domaine Michel Blouin - 53, rue du Canal de Monsieur 49190 SAINT AUBIN DE LUIGNE - Tel : 02 41 78 33 53 - Fax : 02 41 78 67 61 - Contact E-Mail
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