The Château of Brossay, an attractive residence dating from the 15th century, looks across the river Layon valley. The vineyards, originally created by Alexis Deffois in 1919, are located on a gravelly soil overlying an igneous rock layer known as "schist".

Today, the fourth generation of winegrowers are taking over at Brossay, as brothers Raymond and Hubert Deffois, Alexis'grandsons, have now been joined by Nicolas Tamboise and Benjamin Grandsart, Raymond's sons-in-law.

The vineyard is in the southern part of the Loire Valley, close to the department of Deux-Sevres. It extends over 45 hectares, situated on the south-facing slopes of the Layon valley between Cléré-sur-Layon and Passavant.

This area enjoys a micro-climate with low rainfall, mild winter and hot summers. Rainfall is frequently less than 600 mm per year. The combination of the soil and the weather is ideal for producing fine wines.

Château de Brossay will be bringing three types of wine to Bia Lover:

• Sauvignon 2016: A fresh and fruity wine, distinguished by its characteristic pale green-yellow colour, this has floral notes with a touch of citrus. Ideal served with seafood, fish or as an aperitif.
• Anjou Rouge 2014: A light fruity red made from Cabernet grapes. This has nice rounded tannins, and goes very well with white meat, grills and barbecues, and with cheese. This wine won a silver medal at the Paris competition 2015 and has a star in the ‘Guide Hachette’ 2015.
• Crémant de Loire: From the Chardonnay grape, this is an ‘Appelation Controlée’ sparkling wine. It is made using an ancestral method (the second fermentation is from natural sugars left from the grapes' first fermentation). The first hit on your tongue is lively and crisp, giving way to ample and rounded flavours that evoke ripe peaches and nectarines. Ideal as an aperitif, or to serve with dessert.