Whether you prefer easy-drinking reds, softer rosés, or delicious sparkling wine, the historic Chateau de Miniere in France's Loire Valley is a wine-tasting destination that has something for every wine lover.
Located just north of the Loire River in the Bourgueil appellation, Chateau de Miniere dates back to the 15th century. Fast forward about 600 years, and today this winery features a modern, airy tasting room, as well as a separate wing housing several guestrooms for overnight stays.
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About Chateau de Miniere
The Château de Minière features a wine-tasting room and guesthouse set in a restored castle, surrounded by picturesque gardens and the Loire Valley countryside.
The estate's vineyards lie over 70 acres in the Bourgueil AOC, an area of the central Loire Valley.
Cabernet Franc is the region's main grape variety for reds and rosés. Chenin Blanc (just called Chenin in France), is widely grown here to make white still and sparkling wines. And that's the case with the wines on offer at Chateau de Miniere.
Some of the vines on the property are over 100 years old, reflecting the property's storied history. And diverse soil types allow for different growing conditions and varying wine styles, from light refreshing reds to full-bodied ones, as well as crisp acidic whites.
As of 2010, all the vines at the Château de Minière are covered by the Organic Agriculture Ecocert and is HVE certified (High Environmental Value), both of which promote environmentally sustainable growing practices.
Wine tasting at Chateau de Miniere
The winery offers several different wine tasting options, from guided wine tastings to tours. They even offer wine and chocolate tastings, as well as picnic baskets for purchase, for a unique Loire Valley wine-tasting experience.
During our visit, we opted for the guided wine tasting, which costs €10 (about $10) a person. It included samples of 9 wines, including reds, whites, and sparkling. Here are a few of our favorites.
Ceci n'est pas un blanc
We started with a 2023 wine titled "Ceci n'est pas un blanc," which translates to "this is not a white." That's because it's made from Cabernet Franc grapes that are fermented without skin contact, so no color is imparted to the finished wine. Then it's aged for 6 months in stainless steel.
The result is a refreshing, easy-drinking wine with citrus aromas and noticeable acidity.
Blanc de Miniere
The 2023 Blanc de Miniere is 100% Chenin Blanc. This grape is known for its bright acidity and it certainly shows up in this wine. But prominent lemon notes are balanced by richer nectarine and peach flavors, as well as some vegetal hints. This crisp, dry white wine is perfect for warm summer days.
Rosé de Miniere
Made with 100% Cabernet Franc, this bright and delightful salmon-colored rosé is made from a blend of vines and features strawberry and floral aromas. The 2022 vintage we tried also had noticeable acidity, giving the wine a pleasant zestiness.
Bulles de Miniere Blanc de Noirs
Bulles is French for bubbles, and if you like very dry sparkling wines, this will not disappoint. This 2020 brut nature wine has noticeable citrus aromas, balanced by toasty, yeasty flavors imparted from 12 months of lees aging. But the small bubbles in this wine make it easy to drink with a bright, fresh finish.
Sweet wines
You can also enjoy a selection of sweet wines from Chateau de Miniere's sister winery, Chateau de Suronde, located about an hour to the west near the Loire Valley city of Chaume.
We tried the 2022 L'Allegorie, a 100% Chenin Blanc produced from vines that are at least 30 years old. The grapes are allowed to be noble-rot affected, making them shrivel and concentrate their sugars. That results in a rich, sweet wine which, in the case of L'Allegorie, features warm honey and candied fruit flavors.
Try pairing it with tart desserts, creamy cheeses, or spicy food, all of which will balance out and complement the sweetness of the wine.
Cost
One of the things we enjoy the most about wine tasting in France is the reasonable cost of the wines themselves.
Almost all of the wines we tried sold for under €20, or about $25 dollars, on site. If you visit, we recommend taking a few wine bottle travel pouches which you can pack in your luggage so you can take a some bottles home with you. Or you can travel with a separate wine suitcase.
Some of these wines are also available in the U.S., but expect to pay hefty import surcharges.
Staying at Chateau de Miniere
If you'd like to stay at the Chateau as you explore the Loire Valley, the property has three cottages to choose from, all set in a renovated castle right next to the winery tasting room. You can even stay in your own separate chateau that can sleep more than 15 people.
Or if you're looking to splurge, you can reserve all of the properties to host private events.
Prices for the smaller cottages start at about €140 per night. Prices to rent the Chateau start at over €3,000 for mid-week stays.
Visit the Chateau de Miniere
Address
23 rue de Minière
37140 Ingrandes de Touraine
France
Hours
Monday-Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Tasting experiences
- Guided wine tasting: €10/person.
- Guided wine tasting and tour: €15/person.
- Wine, charcuterie and cheese tasting: €20/per person.
- Guided wine and chocolate tasting: €18/per person.
- Picnic basket: €36/per person.
Book a reservation at Chateau de Miniere.
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