Sip Fresh with Centre-Loire Wines at the Governors Island Jazz Age Lawn Party

Guests will have the chance to experience the refreshing, food-friendly wines of this prestigious French region, which is home to a mosaic of diverse terroirs. Led by knowledgeable sommeliers and staff, attendees will enjoy an immersive Centre-Loire experience with a complimentary wine tasting, branded merchandise, an interactive photo booth, and the chance to purchase bottles for on-site enjoyment, in a picturesque picnic à la française with friends.

About Centre-Loire

Spread across 10 appellations—and home to 700 passionate vignerons—the wines of the Centre-Loire beautifully combine centuries-old winemaking tradition with innovative modernity, resulting in bright, complex, and easy-drinking wines. The specific appellations that make up the Centre-Loire are Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly, Coteaux du Giennois, Châteaumeillant, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Côtes de la Charité, and Coteaux de Tannay. Each of these appellations is unique, though the thread that ties all their wines together is their emphasis on freshness and ability to pair beautifully with a variety of cuisines and dishes.  

The overall climate of the Centre-Loire is heavily influenced by the Loire River, as well as the limestone-heavy soils found throughout the region. The area’s cool climate, as well as its large diurnal temperature swings, help to keep acidity high in grapes, which provides the backbone to the wines’ refreshing and thirst-quenching nature. The most widely cultivated grapes in the Centre-Loire are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, though Gamay, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Chasselas are also generously planted. Above all, it's the passion and talent of the vignerons of the Centre-Loire that make their wines so special, as the majority of producers share the common goals of showcasing terroir, carrying on legacy, and above all, reflecting a sense of place in their crisp, crowd-pleasing wines.

Centre-Loire Wines & Summer: A Match Made in Heaven 

The ample amounts of palate-cleansing acidity render the vibrant wines of the Centre-Loire extremely dynamic on the table, making them perfect for summer picnics and outdoor gatherings abound. The region’s zesty Sauvignon Blanc-based whites pair beautifully with a variety of vegetable-based recipes, including Spinach and Goat Cheese Pie, Veggie Tacos with Puy Lentils, and more. Similarly, Centre-Loire reds are also quite versatile, pairing perfectly with a handful of summer-inspired dishes and picnic basket favorites (think Hot Dogs with Caramelized Onions and Espelette Ketchup, Grilled Cheese Croque Monsieurs, and French Lentils Salad with Fourme d'Ambert)—and don’t sleep on the region’s rosés, which come to life with basically every cheese and apéro snack out there!  

Taste France and Centre-Loire Wines are delighted to present a lineup of refreshing, food-friendly wines from eight of the region’s 10 appellations at the 19th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party, taking place on Governors Island on June 8-9, 2024, and August 10–11, 2024.  

We look forward to welcoming you at the Sip Fresh Bar by Centre-Loire in our French Garden this summer!