I have recently received a review copy of Tony's new book. He is one of Canada's leading wine writers and probably the longest established. His Cellar Book is subtitled: 'How to design, build, stock and manage your wine cellar wherever you live'.
As you would expect from a writer of Tony's experience this is well written and a good read – he also writes wine crime detective stories. Subjects covered include why you should store wine and where to store it. As well as the basics a considerable part of the book is taken up with what wines to put into your cellar.
Naturally my first check was to see what Tony would recommend in the Loire. His dream Loire cellar includes Silex and Pur Sang from Didier Dagueneau, Grand Clos from Château de Villeneuve, Bonnezeaux from Fesles, Les Rouannières from Château Pierre-Bise, Quarts de Chaume from Domaine de Forges, La Belle Dame from Vacheron and Les Millerits (Anjou Villages) from Domaine des Rochelles. I would be happy with any or all of these choices.
However, Tony has rather exaggerated the area under vines in the Loire – citing 300,000 hectares. This may have been the total pre-phylloxera, there are only around 70,000 ha planted now.
Earlier on in the book Tony cites Jancis Robinson MW's guide to grape's aging potential. She gives Loire Chenin Blanc – 4-30 years, which was a bit of a surprise. Having tasted a number of Chenin Blancs well over 30 years of age – some more than 60 years old, this seems to me a bit of an underestimate.
As you would expect from a writer of Tony's experience this is well written and a good read – he also writes wine crime detective stories. Subjects covered include why you should store wine and where to store it. As well as the basics a considerable part of the book is taken up with what wines to put into your cellar.
Naturally my first check was to see what Tony would recommend in the Loire. His dream Loire cellar includes Silex and Pur Sang from Didier Dagueneau, Grand Clos from Château de Villeneuve, Bonnezeaux from Fesles, Les Rouannières from Château Pierre-Bise, Quarts de Chaume from Domaine de Forges, La Belle Dame from Vacheron and Les Millerits (Anjou Villages) from Domaine des Rochelles. I would be happy with any or all of these choices.
However, Tony has rather exaggerated the area under vines in the Loire – citing 300,000 hectares. This may have been the total pre-phylloxera, there are only around 70,000 ha planted now.
Jancis Robinson MW
Tony Aspler's Cellar Book is published by Random House, Canada Can$32.95, 339 pages, sepia illustrations.
(Apologies that this post has been rather disjointed for the last few hours but have been caught up with working on the post on my investdrinks-blog.)
(Apologies that this post has been rather disjointed for the last few hours but have been caught up with working on the post on my investdrinks-blog.)
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