CENTRE LOIRE VALLEY WINES SHINE at MAREA Restaurant in New York by Philip S. Kampe

At a recent, outrageous wine dinner at MAREA Restaurant (240 Central Park South), I sampled a variety of Wonderful SAUVIGNON BLANCS AND PINOT NOIRS from France's Centre Loire Valley.

The dinner, hosted by the LOIRE VALLEY WINE BUREAU, featured BENOIT ROUMET of the BUREAU INTERPROFESSIONAL e VINS du CENTRE. Mr.ROUMET is one of the world's leading authorities regarding wines from the Centre Loire valley--specifically SAUVIGNON BLANC and PINOT NOIR.

FACTS Abut the LOIRE Valley and its WINES:
+ The LOIRE is the longest river(630 miles)in France.
+ Much of the LOIRE Valley has been designated a WORLD HERITAGE area by UNESCO.
+ The LOIRE Valley's total wine production makes up the third largest AOC in France.
+ The LARGEST white wine production in France.
+ Second largest sparkling wine region.
+ The LOIRE Valley is the leading region for wines served in restaurants in France.
+ The LOIRE Valley begins in Central France and empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

The wine tasting and dinner focused only on two grape varieties--SAUVIGNON BLANC and PINOT NOIR.

Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir's 'UNIQUE' characteristics come from the LIMESTONE in the soil of the Centre Loire. The cool climate of the region produces late buds with early ripening. When you add the history (grapes have been growing in the Loire Valley for 2000 years), microclimate and limestone, gravel and sand to the grapes growth, you have a special region for wine. This is what sets the wines from the CENTRE Loire Valley apart.
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The wines I sampled all are sold in the U.S.,with prices ranging from $11.99 to $25.99 Retail...

My FAVORITE Whites (SAUVIGNON BLANC):
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CHATEAU de PRESLE 2010 (from Touraine) $11.99
Acidic, bright, grassy, green pepper, grapefruit, tropical fruit
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CLAUDE LAFOND CLOS FUSSAY 2009 (from REUILLY) $17.99
Elegant, citric, minerality, a perfect example of Sauvignon Blanc
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GERARD MILLET 2009 (from MENETOU-SALON) $18.99
Grapefruit, lemon, clean, crisp
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PHILIPPE RAIMBAULT LES LUMEAUX 2009 (from POUILLY-FUME) $19.99
Green apple, lemon peel, clean, racy
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THOMAS-LABAILLE LES MONTS DAMMES 2009 (from SANCERRE) $25.99
Ripe, intense, mineral driven with green apple overtones
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MY FAVORITE REDS (PINOT NOIR):
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PHILIPPE GILBERT 2008 (from MENETOU-SALON) $23.99
Cassis, black tea,silky,balanced,a true classic Pinot Noir.
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GERARD MORIN 2008 (from SANCERRE) $25.99
Spice, dark fruit, cassis, elegant,tart, bitter.
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ALL of the above wines I sampled SET THE BAR for wines from The Loire Valley.
The price points are reasonable, the quality high and the availabilty exists.

Americans who love wines from Chile, Spain, Argentina,Italy and Australia should take a second look at the wines from the CENTRE LOIRE VALLEY.

The wines from CENTRE LOIRE VALLEY are the 'BARGAIN' wines of the World.

QUALITY and PRICE equal VALUE.
VALUE EQUALS the LOIRE VALLEY.

PHILIP S.KAMPE
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com