Loire Valley | 2006 vintage
As with other wine-making regions, the Vallée de la Loire suffered from tricky climatic conditions in 2006: a relatively cool start to the year, a very hot July and a cool, rainy month of August. September was warmer, but more humid, too. The harvests had to be pushed forward due to rainfall at the end of the month, leading to a fear that the crops would develop disease. The region produced soft, fruity wines that were pale in colour. Bourgueil produced some very nice cuvées. Saumur whites are better when from estates where the harvest was rigorously sorted: the late September rains ravaged the Chenin crop, a grape variety that is generally late to mature. They are best consumed young, as early as possible, as their ageing potential is very limited. The weather conditions were not favourable for sweet wines.
