Sunday 28 July 2024 sees the annual Fete des Vins at Bonny-sur-Loire.(45 Loiret, Centre-Val-de-Loire), Although close to both Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire, the wines here are from the Coteaux Giennois (from near the town of Gien on the Loire) – whites from Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin, reds from Pinot Noir and Gamay. Chenin Blanc is the typical white grape variety in the Loire Valley wines – especially in the main section of the river – Bonny is on the cusp between the dominance of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon from up-river vineyards such as Sancerre.
Although they lack the finesse of their more famous neighbours, they are good little wines and represent good value.
For more info see www.tourismeloiret.com
At the edge of the Loire Valley, Bonny is pleasantly situated. Located on the banks of the Loire, 160 km from Paris and 80 km from Orleans, the city is accessible from the A77 autoroute and the N7, which has always been a classic route down to the Cote d’Azur from Paris .
In ancient times, Bonny was an important city. In the 8th century Bonny belonged to the diocese of Auxerre, but was seized by the King after the death of Bishop Hainmar in 769. At the beginning of the 15th century, Bonny was a stronghold where the English had settled. Joan of Arc, before taking the King Charles VII to Reims for his coronation, was besieging the city by one of the captains, Admiral Culan, who quickly seized the city. In the wars of religion Bonny underwent serious conflict between Catholics and Protestants.
Pouilly-sur-Loire is an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the Nievre departement (58) in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
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