Wineries I visit and from whom I buy
There are too many good wineries in the world, so these are the wineries I currently visit, and from whom I regularly purchase.
Jean-Baptiste Adam
Visits by appointment only
Online sales
Alsace
France
Jean-Baptiste Adam
Jean-Baptiste Adam
Laure Adam, who currently is in charge of this estate in Alsace, is the 15rh generation of Adam to work here - yes, 15 generations! For what it's worth, the 16th is already here though, as yet, too young to take charge for a while.
I have known the wines of this estate since the early 1990s and I have always found them to be exceptionally drinkable. There is the full panoply of Alsatian cultivars and, for the most part, the wines are certified as either organic or biodynamic.
Their main Grand Cru Kaefferberg is the most controversial in Alsace being, to date, the only multi-cultivar blend - and what a blend! Gewürztraminer and riesling would not be a normal blend but it has long been the case in this vineyard. To my mind it is a gorgeously soft and luscious wine, and far too easy to drink.
You can buy their wines online, and also visit as they have a super tasting toom and very welcoming staff.
Domaine Vincent Ledy
Visits by appointment only
Nuits-Saint-Georges
Burgundy
France
Domaine Vincent Ledy
Domaine Vincent Ledy
Vincent Ledy is a wonderful wine producer - that is, he is a wonderful vigneron and his wines are wonderful!
While he is based in Nuits-Saint-Georges he has holdings in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the Hautes Côtes de Nuits, Chorey-lès-Beaune, and Savigny-lès-Beaune.
His reds are rich and rounded, with an intriguing distinction between whole-cluster wines and de-stemmed wines, while the whites have a rich, textured style. He has very textured chardonnays, as well as a delicious aligoté, and a rosé from pinot beurot (pinot gris) All are very, very good.
He uses a low sulphur regime so, in his view, his wines should be drunk young rather than aged.
Visits are possible, by appointment, but at specific times – this is a tiny estate and Vincent and his wife Aurélie are always busy. If you do visit, parking can be tricky.
Domaine de Rocheville
Visits by appointment only
Online sales
Saumur-Champigny
Loire
France
Domaine de Rocheville
Domaine de Rocheville
Agnès and Philippe Porché set up this lovely estate in Parnay, right in the heart of the Saumur-Champigny appellation, in 2004.
The wines are a modern take on tradition, with old oak used for ageing the whites, and the reds having a mix of classic lifted fruit alongside rich, succulent fruit.
For me, having first tasted the wines at ProWein in 2015, these are really classic yet approachable and, although lovely wines on their own, really should accompany good food.
You can buy the wines online, which I have done, and it is easy and professional. The wines arrived on time, in perfect condition. If you are in the region they also have an excellent tasting room at the winery.
Moulin Touchais
Côteaux du Layon
Loire
France
Moulin Touchais
Moulin Touchais
On your travels in France, you might find a pink wine with a decidedly dodgy label, Cuisses de Bergère: The thighs of the Shepherdess! What is little known is that this inexpensive wine helps to fund one of the greatest wine cellars in the world, Moulin Touchais.
In this fabulous winery are to be found millions of bottles, all of Côteaux du Layon, going back well into the 19th century.
The wines are classic chenin blanc, ranging from somewhat lean, green apples in cooler years, to rich, luscious, unctuous wines from warmer vintages where botrytis occurs. Not only that, but the wines age forever... if you are, as I am, fan de chenin then look no further!
I regret to say that you cannot visit nor purchase online, but the wines are to be found in excellent shops and restaurants.
Domaine Potinet-Ampeau
Monthélie
Burgundy
France
Domaine Potinet-Ampeau
There are two Ampeau estates in Burgundy and, as is always the case here, they are related. Chantal Durrieu, whose son Vinent runs this estate, is the niece of Robert Ampeau, and cousin of Michel Ampeau.
They are based in Montélie, and have holdings in Monthélie, Meursault, Auxey, Blagny, Beaune, Pommard, and Volnay.
Their wines are made in what I consider to be a traditional way and are matured in the cellar for quite some time before release. They all have superb texture and structure, and they age wonderfully, even after their long maturation.
It is not possible to visit, but if you are ever in Meursault then the wines may be had at the superb restaurant Le Soufflot.
Clos de la Meslerie
Visits by appointment only
Online sales
Vouvray
Loire
France
Clos de la Meslerie
Clos de la Meslerie
Peter Hahn is a retired American financier who, along with his French wife Juliette, purchased Clos de la Meslerie in 2002. A wonderful estate in the heart of Vouvray, this gem is hidden away and makes but two wines - a sparkling Vouvray and a still Vouvray.
The basic philosophy is to use as little intervention as possible, yet without any proselytising ideology! Peter has an excellent touch and, to my mind, makes Vouvray as well as any wines you could expect from this renowned appellation. I find the wines very elegant, well-made and wonderfully drinkable.
You can buy online and while there is no dedicated tasting room, it is possible to visit but only by appointment.