Arthur Hon Discusses the Younger Generation of Winemakers in the Loire Valley

We sat down with award-winning sommelier, Beverage Director at New York’s The Modern, and 2023 Loire Valley Wines Buyers’ Selection Judge, Arthur Hon . We dive into his thoughtful take on how the younger generation in Loire is gearing up to be a revolutionary next generation of winemakers, combining family tradition with a thirst for newness.?

1. What are some of your favorite things about the Loire Valley??

“The stories of the people. In the Loire Valley we are looking at a very historical wine region with ties to basically the beginning of France. We have watched and are continuing to watch the evolutions, revisions, and renditions. The newer, younger generations of winemakers are taking over the family vines. The Loire Valley is still one of the last places in France where young people can easily go in and produce wines without a whole lot of capital that will still allow for their dreams to come true. It’s if they are passionate and you really want to try something with wine, you can really get your hands dirty and make something of yourself. These younger generations are traveling around the world and seeing different spectrums of things especially in comparison to the previous generation, their parents, and even grandparents.?

Also, like the people the land is even exciting because everything is just so humble. It’s true countryside with little things here, there, and everywhere. The land is so expensive, there’s not a lot of major elevation. It’s just rolling hills with greenery with the river. The movement seems a little slower with this calm river that makes everything sort of tranquil. The stories of the people as well as the historical value of the land, there is so much to explore in the LV.”?

?

1. When you're interacting with some of the newer wine lovers, what do you like to tell them about the Loire Valley??

“I tell them all about the diversity of the Loire Valley itself. There is really no representation anywhere else quite like it. You can get any kind of style, any color, anything dry to anything sweet, from age ability to immediate consumption. I love to talk with the new wine lover about the price point as well. It’s not intimidating. There are very charming and cool stories around the wines, and LV is approachable even with the trendy words of biodynamics and organics.”?

?

1. If there was one myth that you could dispel about Loire Valley wines, what would that be??

“Maybe it’s not necessarily a myth, but the Loire Valley is more than just Chenin Blanc or Cabernet Franc, and I think that the area is so much more. So maybe the myth is trying to pigeonhole the entire region into just a few areas as a focal point if you will. I am constantly asking myself while tasting through things, ‘What makes a wine region so great?’ Of course, the wine needs to taste good but there is also the age ability of the region and withstanding the test of time. We need to remind ourselves that the Loire Valley is about the people first. There are people who really believe in what they’re doing and that the world around them.”?

1. What are some of your favorite words or phrases to describe the Loire Valley region???

“Versatility, drinkability. Everything is fresh and approachable, and you can drink pretty much anything at any time of the day, for any occasion. It’s really just perfect.”?