Another fascinating read! So I'm guessing that Fontevrauld Abbey is mainly constructed from freshwater limestone. There must be fossilized shells to be seen in the stone (I never bothered to closely look). And here I thought that it everything around there was constructed from tuffeau. I have one lonely bottle of 2021 Yvonne Saumur-Champigny, but I'll give it some more time. Tonight I'm enjoying some 2022 Philippe Alliet Chinon. Delicious wine. Season's Greetings, Allison.
Thanks for reading, Michael, and thank you for your comment! I believe the Fontevraud Abbey would be constructed out of tuffeau, like most other buildings in the region but I don’t know for certain. It is my understanding that the lacustrine limestone was used more for roads and bridges because of how strong and resistant to erosion it is. But I really don’t know. I need to investigate that! But I would agree that your 2021 Yvonne would need a little more time. Enjoy that Alliet 22 though! Happy holidays to you, Michael! Thank you for all of your support this last year. 🙏❤️☺️
While visiting the Loire Valley this June, I did depart from winery visits to stop at the Fontevraud Abbey. I was glad I did, definitely worthwhile. I went early in the morning and mostly missed the later crowds.
I had a most pleasant and informative visit with Matthieu in 2019. I walked a long serpentine route there from Saumur. Both a long the river and up on the plateau, stopping often to closely examine the soils and the vines and occasional spontaneous winery visits. My last stop was at Chateau Yvonne. Matthieu fit me into his schedule to taste his wines and inform me in detail about his vineyards. Much of it was in French (there were several French wine friends with us), so I understood about half
of his speaking. When he found out I had been walking all day and was returning to Saumur that evening, he had his wife drive me back to Saumur, which was so nice of them. But that's the type of warm, kind family they are. As I was getting into the car with his wife, he came back out and presented me with a bottle of his 2018 La Folie, which is currently in my cellar. It has been waiting patiently, and I believe the time is drawing nigh. Though I am a mature wines lover and may wait another year or two or three. Over the last few years I have increased my Loire red loving friends, so I'll have good friends to share it with.
This is a lovely story, Bobby! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m so glad you had a lovely experience with Mathieu and his wife and at Château Yvonne. It is truly a top notch domaine producing exemplary examples of Saumur-Champigny and Cabernet Franc. Thank you for the kind words and all your support this past year! Happy holidays to you! ❤️🙏
Another fascinating read! So I'm guessing that Fontevrauld Abbey is mainly constructed from freshwater limestone. There must be fossilized shells to be seen in the stone (I never bothered to closely look). And here I thought that it everything around there was constructed from tuffeau. I have one lonely bottle of 2021 Yvonne Saumur-Champigny, but I'll give it some more time. Tonight I'm enjoying some 2022 Philippe Alliet Chinon. Delicious wine. Season's Greetings, Allison.
Thanks for reading, Michael, and thank you for your comment! I believe the Fontevraud Abbey would be constructed out of tuffeau, like most other buildings in the region but I don’t know for certain. It is my understanding that the lacustrine limestone was used more for roads and bridges because of how strong and resistant to erosion it is. But I really don’t know. I need to investigate that! But I would agree that your 2021 Yvonne would need a little more time. Enjoy that Alliet 22 though! Happy holidays to you, Michael! Thank you for all of your support this last year. 🙏❤️☺️
While visiting the Loire Valley this June, I did depart from winery visits to stop at the Fontevraud Abbey. I was glad I did, definitely worthwhile. I went early in the morning and mostly missed the later crowds.
That’s a good tip, Bobby! I haven’t visited the Abbey myself, but I’m going to the next chance I get!
I had a most pleasant and informative visit with Matthieu in 2019. I walked a long serpentine route there from Saumur. Both a long the river and up on the plateau, stopping often to closely examine the soils and the vines and occasional spontaneous winery visits. My last stop was at Chateau Yvonne. Matthieu fit me into his schedule to taste his wines and inform me in detail about his vineyards. Much of it was in French (there were several French wine friends with us), so I understood about half
of his speaking. When he found out I had been walking all day and was returning to Saumur that evening, he had his wife drive me back to Saumur, which was so nice of them. But that's the type of warm, kind family they are. As I was getting into the car with his wife, he came back out and presented me with a bottle of his 2018 La Folie, which is currently in my cellar. It has been waiting patiently, and I believe the time is drawing nigh. Though I am a mature wines lover and may wait another year or two or three. Over the last few years I have increased my Loire red loving friends, so I'll have good friends to share it with.
Keep up the good work!! And Happy Holidays!!
This is a lovely story, Bobby! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m so glad you had a lovely experience with Mathieu and his wife and at Château Yvonne. It is truly a top notch domaine producing exemplary examples of Saumur-Champigny and Cabernet Franc. Thank you for the kind words and all your support this past year! Happy holidays to you! ❤️🙏
This fella says it was built from "the soft limestone underlying the region. The stone was quarried nearby." https://cromwell-intl.com/travel/france/loire-valley/fontevraud-abbey.html But I need to cross-reference that!