Another highlight of my trip through the Loire Valley was tasting at the famed Maison Ackerman, one of the first and foremost producers of Cremant de Loire.  Founded in 1811 by Jean Baptiste Ackerman, the company has been making beautiful wines that showcase the varied terroir of the Saumur appellation ever since.  Jean Baptiste did not choose Saumur by chance; he recognized the potential in the chalky, limestone soil for giving wines a natural tendency to develop an effervescence.  He was the first to use the méthode traditionnelle in Saumur and was the only producer to make this Val de Loire wine for 40 years.

Today, the méthode traditionnelle is still used to make beautiful sparkling wines that could rival Champagne.  Additionally, the house has a varied offering of still wines in both traditional Loire Valley red and white varieties.

They offer a wonderful tour that takes you through their history as well as the limestone caves that offer the best conditions for aging their wines.  In certain parts of the caves they have rotating art installations as well.  The current installation was built from a series of string drawings.