These awards were bestowed on 21st and 22nd January 2010, following an audit performed at the request of the Interprofession des Vins de Loire (InterLoire).
Out of the 300 Loire wine region tourist cellars
making up the network, set up three years ago,
100 were audited. The auditor, Kanopée Consultants,
based its work on a grid of criteria selected when the
Charter of the network of Loire wine region tourist cellars
was put into practice (this charter was designed in partnership
with tourism institutions and funded by the regions), including
ease of access, regular opening times, commented and educational
wine-tasting sessions in a properly fitted out area and sale of
single bottles.
After the audit,
89% of cellars were qualified, with an average of 87% of
compulsory criteria met. The 11 cellars singled out (compared
with five last year) met every single one of the compulsory quality
criteria, 70% of the optional criteria and scooped at least two
special mentions (charm and authenticity of the cellar, warm,
personalised welcome, sophisticated services and/or effective
internal organisation of the cellar).
The 11 prize-winning tourist cellars in 2010 for their
all-round excellent welcome are:
- Indre-et-Loire
- Loire-Atlantique
- Loir-et-Cher
- Maine-et-Loire
Caves
touristiques des vignobles de Loire