Remy Pannier Winemaker Tasting with Pierre Charon
By Priya and Alex, A Vine Romance
It’s not often you get invited to an exclusive and intimate lunch with a talented winemaker visiting all the way from France, but we were lucky enough to do just that this past week.
The Novotel on the Esplanade was the setting for this lovely event and they put out a great spread to match with the wines, with lots of cheese and seafood. They were kind enough to accommodate Priya, who’s a vegan, by having some vegetable antipasto and green salad along with mixed nuts and fruits.
We sampled the 2013 and 2014 vintages of Remy Pannier’s Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé d’Anjou.
Pierre spoke of how they aim to create wines “that are fresh, crisp…at a very good price point” and at under $20 for all the wines we tried, they have succeeded in that goal.
It was fascinating tasting the two vintages of each bottle. We saw how 2014 was an ‘easier’ year because there was more rain and better conditions for the grapes. This reflected in wines that were ‘more expressive’ (to use winespeak) on the nose—you could smell so much more than with the 2013s.
Both vintages of the Rosé were gorgeous, lush and crisp with just the right touch of sweetness without being ‘sweet’. Interestingly they mentioned how 50% of their rosé sales are outside of the summer months.
Rosé used to be considered such a hot weather wine but now it’s gaining popularity year-round, and across both genders! As Alex says, ‘real men drink rosé’!
Pierre spoke about how travelling and making wine in different wine regions (including Chile, Australia and New Zealand in addition to various areas of France) helps him keep an open mind to various techniques.
When Priya asked him what his favorite wine is he said “What I like in wine is diversity, wine that has a story to tell”. Spoken like a true admirer of the grape!
Alex said of the 2013 Chinon that it was foresty, peppery and had great acidity. He also commented that it had full body but was not heavy, with soft tannins …he found it quite lovely.
We learned a lot, enjoyed some great company (including meeting a fellow Natalie MacLean reviewer, Alicia) and were privileged to enjoy some fantastic wines in the presence of their creator. Not a bad way to spend a Friday afternoon!
Remy Pannier Rosé D’anjou 2013
Loire Valley, France
Remy Pannier Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Touraine, Loire Valley, France
Remy Pannier Sevre & Maine Sur Lie Muscadet 2013
Loire Valley, France
Remy Pannier Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Touraine, Loire Valley, France
Remy Pannier Sevre & Maine Sur Lie Muscadet 2014
Loire Valley, France
Remy Pannier Rosé D’anjou 2014
Loire Valley, France
Winemaker Pierre Charon
Coming from cool and wet Brittany, Pierre figured out that he was more a wine lover than a cider drinker. In order to confirm that feeling he went to the south of France and studied viticulture and oenology for a while. At this moment he realized that making good wine was not something you could learn from a book but something you have to practice as much as you can, just like cooking except that you only have your ingredient once in a year.
Before being in charge of the winemaking of Remy Pannier, Pierre has been crushing grapes in a variety of countries and wine areas: Chile, Australia, New Zealand for the South Hemisphere, Hermitage, Muscadet, Languedoc, Châteauneuf du Pape for the North Hemisphere.
He is now settled in the Loire Valley where he enjoys the variety of terroirs and appellations and this blessed climate is what makes the wines so fresh and aromatic.
Remy Pannier
Established in 1885, Remy Pannier offers premium quality Loire Valley wines. In 1956, Remy Pannier decided to partner with Maison Ackerman, the pioneer of Loire sparkling wine production, and the wine house was passed over the generations keeping the tradition of fine winemaking.
Over the years, Remy Pannier has developed strong relationships with over 450 vine growers throughout the Loire Valley.
Remy Pannier now operates eight state-of-the-art wineries located all along the Loire Valley, closest to the vineyards, and offers a full selection of Loire Valley wines perpetuating a century-old history.
