The Event: Tasting Loire Valley wines of Ackerman and Remy Pannier with winemaker Pierre Charon and Export Manager Isabelle Moreau.

The Date and Time: Monday March 27, 2017  11:30AM to 2PM

The Event: Tasting Loire Valley wines of Ackerman and Remy Pannier with winemaker Pierre Charon and Export Manager Isabelle Moreau.

The Venue: Novotel Toronto Esplanade

The Target Audience: wine writers and sommeliers

The Availability/Catalogue: only 4 wines are currently listed in Ontario, all Remy Pannier. The rest will be applied for; they are TBD.

The Quote/Background: Pierre Charon took us through the winemaking processes. A few notable facts: the difference between MT Saumur Brut and MT Cremant de Loire (Ackerman makes both) is that Saumur is machine-harvested while Cremant is hand-harvested. Cabernet Franc such as  Ackerman's Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil is done by short maceration, stainless steel fermentation, and early bottling – light and fruity and clean. Ackerman/Remy Pannier is the number one producer of sparkling wines in the Loire.

The Wines:

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Remy Pannier Sauvignon Blanc Touraine 2016 LCBO +68676 $15.90

-Ackerman Secret des Vignes Saumur Blanc 2015 est$19.95 TBD [Gold Medal] slightly oaked

-Ackerman Cremant de Loire Cuvee 1811 Blanc Brut est$19.95 TBD [70% chenin] Gold medal

-Ackerman Cremant de Loire Royal Blanc Brut est$24.95 [60% chardonnay]

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Remy Pannier Sauvignon IGP Val de Loire 2016 LCBO +471318 $12.95 [Gold Medal for 2015]

-Remy Pannier Blanc de Noir 2016 est$16.95 TBD [cabernet franc]

-Ackerman Saint-Nicolas de Bourgeuil 2015 est$18.95 TBD

-Ackerman Secret des Vignes Chinon 2014 est$19.95 TBD

-Ackerman Cremant de Loire Ambrosa est$22.95 [60% chenin] Gold medal

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Remy Pannier Muscadet 2016 LCBO +13821 $14.95

-Remy Pannier Rose D'Anjou 2016 LCBO +12641 $14.95

 

The Food: there was a buffet emphasizing Loire-style food, such as rillettes de Tours, pan-seared cod loin, leeks mash, veal stew with mushroom cream sauce.

The Downside: with about 40 people it was a very noisy room.

The Upside: a chance to speak with winemaker Pierre Charon.

The Contact Person: amcginty@eurovintage.com; sales@eurovintage.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com