Château du Petit Thouars

 I've stayed at a few chateaux all in the name of research.

 I stayed overnight at Chateau Beaumont, Bordeaux in the broiling heat besieged by buzzing insects. I couldn't wait to leave that turret - not so romantic.

 But visiting Chateau du Petit Thouars

 In the Loire Vallee was an altogether sublime and serene experience.

 Painting onsite with a view of the vineyards...

 Even if I have been painting macarons

 Instead of the magnificent chateau

 Or the 30 acres of vineyards

 Or the Cabernet Franc grapes has been a sheer joy.

 I met Sebastien du Petit Thouars through the net. He asked me to paint the church he was getting married in and the rest is history.

 Speaking of history, Sebastien's ancestor, Georges Aubert, a consular under Cardinal Richelieu, bought the chateau in 1643. Sebastien's father replanted the vines in 1975.

 If you visit the views are superb

 The cellers produce up to 70,000 bottles of wine per year

 Château du Petit Thouars wines  have won many, many prizes

 Over the years including being cited by Decantor magazine in 2011

 Cremente de Rose:

Best enjoyed end of the meal with dessert tartes

eye - pale salmon pink

le nez - small red fruit aroma

in the mouth - small bubbles, good balance between acid/sweetness 

 Cabernet Franc Reserve 2009:

featured in Decantor 2011

'robe'/look-shiny, red garnet color

le nez/nose-ripe red fruits and raspberries

in the mouth- fresh balanced structure, light and delicate

 If you're into cats and dogs there are plenty of to keep you fascinated.

 Chateau dog, Dimitri will happily play ball with you between tastings

 Château du Petit Thouars is located between Chinon and Saumur

Do stop in for a degustation/ a tasting

Or check out Argonaut Liquor in Colorado

You can find out more about Chateau du Petit Thouars on Twitter

and here.

A La Votre!