{"id":14875,"date":"2024-04-30T17:30:48","date_gmt":"2024-04-30T15:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amboise-valdeloire.com\/?p=14875"},"modified":"2025-02-18T11:04:31","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T10:04:31","slug":"moncontour-all-the-secrets-of-the-winemaking-world-within-reach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amboise-valdeloire.com\/en\/moncontour-all-the-secrets-of-the-winemaking-world-within-reach\/","title":{"rendered":"Moncontour: all the secrets of the winemaking world, within reach!"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Moncontour: all the secrets of the winemaking world, within reach! <\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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To learn more about the history of wine and how a winery works, we set off for Ch\u00e2teau Moncontour in Rochecorbon. On the agenda: the Museum of the Vine and Wine, followed by a small tasting \u2013\u00a0the chance for us to refine our nose and culture!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The winemaking history and know-how behind the Ch\u00e2teau Moncontour<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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It is on the banks of the Loire<\/strong>, a little beyond the town of Vouvray<\/strong>, that this winery stands, easily recognisable from the road and offering spectacular views over the whole Loire Valley.\u00a0 This winemaking estate is one of the most prestigious in Val de Loire<\/strong>, and its vineyards<\/strong> are among some of the oldest in the Loire Valley.<\/strong><\/p>

For a little history, the Ch\u00e2teau Moncontour<\/strong> was originally a feudal building. The French king Charles VII had it constructed for his favourite, Agn\u00e8s Sorel. Burnt down during the Revolution, it would be destroyed<\/strong> again centuries later, in 1942, during the Second World War. The castle was then reconstructed<\/strong>, exactly as it was in the Renaissance.<\/p>

Today, the Ch\u00e2teau Moncontour is a winery revealing a family history<\/strong> and owned by the Feray family<\/strong> since 1994. The Feray vineyards extend over 130 hectares, split into 6 different estates, including the Ch\u00e2teau Moncontour in Rochecorbon. These vineyards produce a range of different wines<\/strong>: white, sparkling, ros\u00e9 and red, of various controlled appellations \u2013 Vouvray, Cr\u00e9mant de Loire, Touraine, Chinon and Cheverny.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Discovering the secrets of the vine \u2026 and the wine!<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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It was after a little presentation of the winery that we pushed open the doors of the Museum of the Vine and Wine<\/a><\/strong> in the former cellars<\/strong> of the Ch\u00e2teau Moncontour. What’s more, we learnt that this museum is home to one of the largest collections of objects focused on the world of growing and making wines<\/strong> in the west of France, with nearly 3,000 pieces, mostly obtained through donations. On top of all that, amongst these objects and tools linked to the various trades involved in winegrowing and makin<\/strong>g, we observed barrels, serpette knives, scalders and even presses. We were amazed by how big they were! \u00a0<\/p>

As we made our way through the museum, thanks to the educational panels, we discovered the lifecycle of the wine<\/strong> and the work<\/strong> carried out all year round, according to the seasons. There were even reconstructions to illustrate this winemaking know-how<\/strong> with models, adding a touch of fun to our learning. We adored the little quotes about the months of the year related to the vines, such as ‘January dry and fine, fills the attic and the cellar<\/i>‘, entertaining us throughout the tour.<\/strong><\/p>

You could easily spend hours in the museum, carefully observing the objects. Each tool is accompanied by an explanation of its use and operation. What we really appreciated was the visual wealth offered up by this museum, and the simplicity of its explanations<\/strong>. We learnt that chenin blanc<\/strong> is also known as pineau de la Loire. We also now understand the importance of tuffeau stone in the wine cellars.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The unique touches that made this tour unforgettable<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Our little favourite was the authentic cave house<\/strong> at the end of the tour, presenting the everyday life of winemakers at the time. A real return to our childhood, in the countryside<\/strong> and at our grandparents’ homes. There, we found everyday objects we once knew and could see ourselves using again.<\/p>

After exploring the museum, we were offered a little tasting<\/strong> of the Ch\u00e2teau de Moncontour’s wine. In the shop, we got comfortable around a barrel to taste a Grand R\u00e9serve 2021 vintage sparkling Vouvray<\/strong>. We could feel the finesse of its bubbles and the sweetness of the grape: chenin blanc. Thanks to our host’s explanations throughout the tasting, we discovered the characteristics of the AOC Vouvray region. These include the know-how that goes into the traditional method for making sparkling wine.<\/strong><\/p>

What’s more, the Ch\u00e2teau Moncontour offers several packages for the museum and tastings, as well as some privileged tours<\/strong>.\u00a0With this, visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the buildings<\/strong> in which the vats are located, the museum and a food-and-wine pairing tasting. Finally, to reach as wide an audience as possible, the guided tours on offer are bilingual<\/strong> \u2013 just like the educational panels.<\/p>

For lovers of French literature<\/strong> or keen walkers, the Ch\u00e2teau Moncontour has recently created ‘the tour of the literary gardens<\/strong>‘.\u00a0This is the chance to make your way through the castle’s park, where various stations have been set up highlighting 19 works by Balzac<\/strong>. Incidentally, the latter had an enormous soft spot for the Ch\u00e2teau de Moncontour, once even proclaiming that ‘Moncontour is my favourite!’.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Some practical information before you arrive<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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