Wine Trotters: an outing to the heart of the vines and wines of the Loire!
On a hunt for memorable experiences to discover the world of winemaking, we tried out Wine Trotters. From the vine to the bottle, we set off to uncover all the secrets of a great wine in the vineyards of our beautiful Touraine!
The story behind Wine Trotters
Wine Trotters is the shared story of Myriam and Gaël. Both natives of the Loire Valley, this pair have led international careers in wine tourism. This has allowed them to become real experts in wine! It was in Argentina, in particular, that the Wine Trotters adventure came to life for them, now realised in their native, winegrowing region of Touraine!
What is Wine Trotters? It is a company offering wine tours in the Valley of the Loire. Myriam and Gaël can transport up to 6 people in their comfortable vehicle. For a day or half-day, they are passionate about sharing unique moments with their audiences.
During an outing, they set off to meet local wine producers, sharing their ancestral winemaking know-how and all the secrets of the trade. Wine Trotters also offers a discovery of the wineries, with exclusive and private tastings of some of the greatest Val de Loire wines.
Our winemaking road trip in Touraine
It was after meeting Gaël in Amboise that our winemaking adventure kicked off. On board the minivan, we set off for the first vineyard, not knowing which it would be. This really kept the feeling of discovery alive for us throughout the journey. We then arrived in the heart of a certified Organic and Biodynamic winery. First of all, Gaël showed us the winery’s vines and explained the whole lifecycle of a vine. He also allowed us to discover the winemaking know-how that goes into producing wine. For example, we learnt that vines are very abundant creepers that must be carefully pruned to best structure the plant. What we didn’t know is that winemakers limit the vine’s productivity, because the fewer bunches there are, the more concentrated these will be! We also saw the draught horses working the vines. This offered us a real immersion in the work of the winemaker.
Then, we visited the estate’s cave cellars, where we discovered the different types of containers in which wine is stored. There were barrels, as well as stainless-steel vats embedded in the rock. The most surprising was a concrete vat in the shape of an egg! Gaël explained to us that this special type is particularly interesting as it allows the lees (yeast deposits) to remain in constant movement within the wine. This makes it possible to modify the wine’s texture.
Next, it was time for a wine tasting! We tried several wines, but our favourites were the orange wine and a strawberry and ginger-based liqueur – a real explosion of flavours! What’s more, Gaël taught us how to properly taste wine. First, of all, you must smell it, carefully turn the glass, smell it again, taste it and, finally, spit it out. We were delighted to be able to learn the art of drinking wine, to impress our guests at our next meal!
Next, we got back on the road, arriving at another winery near Vouvray. At the heart of the cave cellars, Gaël presented the winery and its winemaking particularities. These were neither the same grape varieties, nor even the same appellations. This allowed us to truly discover two distinct wineries and therefore observe the real diversity of Val de Loire wines. This winery specialised in the Vouvray appellation. We once again had the chance to try a few wines: white, sparkling and even wine liqueurs – our favourite! During the tasting, Gaël explained to us the various processes behind making each of the wines we tasted. For example, the use of the traditional method for the sparkling Vouvray, or the names of the grape varieties used, such as chenin blanc. Then, we finally set off home again, chatting with Gaël all the way about the experience. Put simply, thanks to Wine Trotters, we know almost everything there is to know about wine!
What makes the Wine Trotters adventure unique
What’s really great about Wine Trotters is that you are accompanied from start to finish. And if, like us, you don’t know too much about the winemaking world to begin with, you’ll come back from this experience much more enlightened than you set off! This experience is suitable for families, friends or even colleagues.
The little added extra that really makes this adventure is the way Gaël made his explanations accessible. Whether you’re simply an amateur or a real wine expert, Wine Trotters is a veritable invitation to sharing. It’s also a wealth of know-how and knowledge, discovering the authenticity of our beautiful Val de Loire.
It is a real private, tailor-made experience offered alongside experts and wine producers carefully selected by Gaël. We really felt their authenticity and passion during our outing. This immersion in the winemaking world also allowed us to discover the peaceful, lush landscapes at the heart of the Touraine countryside. What’s more, thanks to the vast Loire Valley, Myriam and Gaël create tailor-made tour circuits according to your wine preferences, geographical location and the winemaking estates on offer.
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