Blog Post

Going Underground in Saumur Champigny

  • by Micaela Frow
  • •
  • 10 Apr, 2018
  • •
loire wine tours
Varrains situated at the heart of Saumur Champigny is a winemakers commune.

On the surface you will find 'demeures de caractère et de maisons de vignerons' beautiful houses of characters and winemakers houses but this weekend we were more interested in going underground with our wine tour group.

wine break from paris to loire
Welcome to the shrine of wine dedicated to St Vincent the patron saint of winemakers.
loire bud burst
Back up on the surface we have budburst!
We witnessed the first signs of bud burst today whilst out and about in the Saumur Champigny vineyards. Now we have our fingers crossed that there is no frost or hail during this delicate stage of the vines growth. The last 2 years have been difficult in certain parts of the Loire Valley due to frost damaged vines and hail. The buds start with a wooly bud of 'coton' and now the buds or 'bourgeons' as they are called in French are starting to open. The vines are coming out of their dormancy period and the new years growth is about to start for 2018.
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