🍷 Sip of the Week: Easy-Going Loire Charm Afloat
A relaxed canal-side wine review featuring Les Calcaires Vin de France Pinot Noir by Pierre Chainier. This is an affordable Loire Valley red purchased at Sainsbury’s in Nantwich.
This week’s Sip of the Week comes with a lesson. Always remember the name of the wine… especially when it’s this enjoyable. 😄
Introduction
Enter Les Calcaires Vin de France Pinot Noir. It is crafted by Pierre Chainier in the ever-reliable Loire Valley. A region that rarely disappoints when it comes to easy-drinking reds.
I picked up this bottle at Sainsbury’s in Nantwich for around £7 (a price that always raises a cautious eyebrow). This bottle joined me aboard narrowboat Spirit of Sproglet as we lay moored along the Shropshire Union Canal near Church Minshull. Not a bad tasting room, all things considered. 🌿
In the glass, it’s exactly what you’d hope from a Pinot Noir—light, ruby-red, and quietly inviting. Give it a swirl and you’re greeted with bright, fresh aromas of cherry and raspberry. Notice the gentle earthy note lingering in the background… like the canal towpath after a soft rain. 🌧️
The Tasting
First sip? Oh yes, this is a friendly one.
It’s light-bodied and smooth, with soft tannins that don’t try to take over the conversation. The fruit leads the way. Juicy red cherry and a touch of tart raspberry—balanced by a refreshing acidity that keeps everything lively. No heaviness, no drama… just a very drinkable, very likeable red. 🍇
This is the kind of wine that fits canal life perfectly. Sitting on deck, watching the water ripple and the occasional duck glide past (clearly judging my tasting notes). It felt like the wine understood the assignment: relaxed, uncomplicated, and quietly charming. 🦆
Now, while Pinot Noir often leans toward lighter fare, in this case this one holds its own surprisingly well with heartier dishes—particularly if you keep things simple and flavourful.
Try it with:
- A grilled steak or lamb chops straight off the barbecue 🥩
- A rich beef pasta or slow-cooked ragu 🍝
- Or even a creamy, cheesy dish enjoyed as the sun dips behind the hedgerows 🧀🌅
Because the acidity cuts through richness beautifully, the soft fruit keeps everything nicely balanced.
At this price point, it’s a bit of a steal. It’s not trying to be a grand, cellar-worthy Pinot. It’s something far more useful: a dependable, affordable bottle that you can open without ceremony and enjoy without overthinking.
Would I bring it aboard again? Without hesitation. It makes for another easy evening on the cut, glass in hand, with nowhere in particular to be. 🍷🚤
