Volcanic Wine Awards | The Jancis Robinson Story

Fiefs Vendéens – journey to the end of the Loire

Monday 10 February 2025 • 1 min read
Brem-sur-Mer aerial view

Wine writer, anthropologist and surfer Chris Howard is seduced by wines made where the Loire meets the ocean. Above, an aerial view of Brem (courtesy Domaine St-Nicolas).

The cure for anything is salt – sweat, tears or the sea. – Isak Dinesen (the pseudonym of Karen Blixen)

Perusing my local Paris cave du vin, I ask Lupita what’s good. She hands me a bottle, explaining it’s a Chenin Blanc from the far western Loire, where the river ends and the vines meet sea. As a landlocked ocean lover with an affinity for maritime wines, I don’t think...

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