March Wine Club 2026
Welcome to our March Wine Club, where spring has truly sprung. With gardens beginning to bloom, there’s no better place to look for inspiration than the Jardin de la France – the Loire Valley. Known as the 'Garden of France', this beautiful region is celebrated for its fertile landscapes, extensive vineyards, and magnificent Renaissance châteaux surrounded by exquisite gardens. Located in central France, it is home to iconic sites such as the ornamental gardens of Villandry and the creative garden installations at Chaumont-sur-Loire, making it a beloved destination for lovers of horticulture, history, and wine alike. Stretching along the 1,006 km course of the Loire River, from its source in the Massif Central to the Atlantic Ocean at Nantes, the Loire Valley is one of France’s most diverse and dynamic wine regions. Across nearly 300 km of vineyards, it produces an extraordinary range of styles: sparkling wines, crisp mineral whites, luscious sweet wines, and reds that range from light and fresh to structured and complex. Viticulture here dates back to the 1st century, when the Romans first planted vines, and the region has endured centuries of upheaval – from the French Revolution to the devastating phylloxera crisis of the 19th century. Despite the challenges of its cool climate and the difficulty of practising low-intervention or biodynamic farming, the Loire has become one of the spiritual homes of the natural wine movement. Today it remains a thriving landscape shaped by sandy soils enriched with river minerals, alongside limestone, tuffeau, and clay. Its key grape varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet), Grolleau, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, and Pinot Noir.
Sophie Robson, Lilith March 2026
La Gabare 2021 Domaine Grosbois
- Producer: Domaine Grosbois
- Vintage: 2020
- Alcohol: 13.5
- Drink: 18°C
- Price: €43
- Region: Chinon, Loire Valley
- Grapes: Cabernet Franc
- Drink at: Chapter One
Chinon's history dates back to the Romans, who were likely the first to plant vineyards here. The region’s reputation as a wine-producing area grew during the Middle Ages, particularly under the influence of the Plantagenet kings of England, who controlled this part of France. The wines of Chinon were highly regarded in the royal courts of both France and England.
Chinon is recognised as one of the most important appellations in the Loire Valley for Cabernet Franc. The appellation was officially established in 1937 and has grown to over 2,300 ha of vineyards. Known for their versatility, some Chinon wines offer immediate freshness and drinkability while others offer enough structure to age gracefully for decades.
Domaine Grosbois is a 9-hectare estate run by brothers Nicolas and Sylvain Grosbois, located at 'Le Pressoir' in Panzoult within the Chinon appellation in the heart of the Loire Valley. Nicolas returned to the family domaine in 2008 after a decade working as a 'flying winemaker' gaining experience in New Zealand, Australia, Chile, and Oregon. Influenced by his time abroad, he strongly believes in avoiding oak during vinification and ageing, instead favouring concrete tanks to preserve the freshness and vitality of the wines; no oak has been used at the estate since 2015. Sylvain also worked internationally, spending time in Chile, Oregon with Domaine Drouhin, and Australia before joining the family estate. The brothers are passionate advocates of organic viticulture and regularly present their wines at the Raw Wine Fair. Their La Gabare cuvée comes from old Cabernet Franc vines planted on clay-limestone soils. The grapes are destemmed and undergo a short two- to three-day cold maceration before a 20-day cuvaison in concrete tanks, followed by ageing in concrete to retain purity and expression of terroir. A serious wine that is ready to drink now or put away for a celebration in a few years, silky, structured, and proof at the Loire is capable of great elegance.
Clisson 2015 Hugues Brochard
- Producer: Huges Brochard
- Vintage: 2015
- Alcohol: 12%
- Drink: 12°C
- Price: €25
- Region: Nantes, Loire Valley
- Grapes: Melon de Bourgogne
- Drink at: Kicky's, Volpe Nera
Muscadet (pronounced muss-kuh-day) is a bone-dry, light-bodied white wine from the western Loire Valley made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape. Known for its crisp acidity and distinctive mineral character, Muscadet is loved as a versatile food wine, particularly with seafood. The most renowned appellation is Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, the largest and most important area for high-quality expressions of the style. Wines from this region are typically lean and refreshing, with subtle citrus, green apple, and pear notes, often accompanied by a distinctive saline quality influenced by the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
Many Muscadet wines are aged sur lie, meaning they rest on their lees (spent yeast cells) after fermentation. This traditional method adds texture and complexity, giving the wine a slightly creamy mouthfeel and delicate yeasty character while maintaining its bright freshness. Some of the best examples spend two to three years ageing in this way, developing greater depth and richness while retaining the crisp, mouth-watering finish that makes Muscadet so food-friendly.
This wine hails from just under 100 km from the Atlantic Ocean near Clisson, where fourth-generation winegrower Hugues Brochard farms old Melon de Bourgogne vines planted on south-facing slopes along the Sèvre and Maine rivers in Maisdon-sur-Sèvre, on the southern edge of the Armorican Massif. The vines, now over 40 years old, grow in clay soils scattered with smooth pebbles over granite bedrock, providing excellent drainage and contributing to the wine’s pronounced minerality. The grapes are harvested by hand and traditionally vinified before ageing for at least two years on the lees, producing a wine of remarkable complexity and balance.
In the glass, the wine shows a golden hue with aromas of candied citrus, yellow plum, pastry notes, and a hint of smokiness. The palate is rich yet precise, combining lively acidity with a fleshy texture and a long, saline finish. Ideally serve after decanting for an hour or two to allow the aromas to open.
La cuisine de ma mere 2023 Nicolas Grosbois
- Producer: Nicolas Grosbois
- Vintage: 2023
- Alcohol: 12.5% ABV
- Drink: 14°C
- Price: €24
- Region: Chinon, Loire Valley
- Grapes: Cabernet Franc
- Drink at: Daróg (Galway), The Universal (Galway), Union Wine Bar (Waterford)
"Wine should be approached like cooking, simply. That's how my mother raised me: in her kitchen, with family friends, good vegetables, and beautiful recipes... that's how you build yourself! In this bottle there are simply grapes, courage and a lot of love – just like my mother's cooking."
This wine I have chosen is a nod to the Mothers, so open it on Sunday. A fully natural Cabernet Franc grown on sandy loam soils. Hand-harvested, fully destemmed, gently crushed, fermented with native yeasts and macerated on its skins for a short two days in stainless steel. Utter fruit purity; raspberry, blackberry, cassis and green bell pepper. Enjoy slightly chilled with charcuterie, roast lamb or goat's cheeses.
Extra Bulles 2024 Nicolas Grosbois
- Producer: Nicolas Grosbois
- Vintage: 2024
- Alcohol: 10.5% ABV
- Drink: 8°C
- Price: €26
- Region: Gaillac, France
- Grapes: Mauzac-Colombard
- Drink at: Cava Bodega (Galway), Etto, Uno Mas
This Grosbois Pet-Nat is a refreshing and lively sparkling wine made from Grenache, Sémillon, Colombard, and Mauzac Blanc. You may think, those grapes don't come from the Loire Valley and you would be right, here Nicolas sources these grapes from Gaillac in the south meaning this is a négoce wine.
What is négoce wine, you ask? The distinction between Domaine and Négociant primarily relates to the ownership of grapes and control of production. A domaine grows grapes from vineyards it owns or leases and produces and bottles the wine on the estate, allowing full control over vineyard management and winemaking. In contrast, a négociant purchases grapes, juice, or finished wine from independent growers and then vinifies, blends, and bottles the wine under their own label. While domaines are often associated with smaller, estate-focused production, négociants historically produced larger volumes, though many modern micro-négociant now work on a smaller, more artisanal scale using carefully sourced fruit, which is what Grosbois does.
I adore this wine. It shows bright aromas of citrus fruit, lemon peel, yeast, and a hint of lemon curd. On the palate it’s clean and crisp with lots of bubbles, zippy acidity, and a lightly creamy texture that balances the freshness nicely.