[2] Some classic examples of Vouvray can even reach the levels of longevity commonly associated with Port. Now cool is that? Bourgueil can be the beefiest, longest-living Loire red of all while the lighter St-Nicolas de Bourgueil is even more rarely seen outside its own parish. [5] The Chenin blanc grape has been planted in the region since at least 845 AD when it was planted at the Abbey of Glanfeuil. I am a sucker for the ones from... 3. Made from the best Cabernet Franc grapes, SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY is a pure, direct, exuberant red wine from an appellation where the growers are go-ahead and united in their commitment to quality. The most common hazard is that the cool climate will prevent the grapes from ripening fully and developing the sugars needed to balance the naturally high acidity of the grapes. Maybe I’ll save this question for the next time I visit. The rosé wines are made from an assortment of Gamay, Pineau d'aunis, Pinot gris and Pinot noir. While the majority of production is white wine from the Chenin blanc, Sauvignon blanc and Melon de Bourgogne grapes, there are red wines made (especially around the Chinon region) from Cabernet franc. 13.0%. Meet Pineau d'Aunis. ... Burgundy, and Bordeaux. By the 11th century the wines of Sancerre had a reputation across Europe for their high quality. Yes, Malbec grapes do exist in the Loire Valley. Did you know that the popular Pinot Gris (Grigio) is simply a mutation of the Pinot Grape?In Loire, Pinot Noir comes in many lively and sometimes rustic examples. ⁠”Cabernet" is derived from "carbon", meaning black... a nod to its dark berries. Saumur-Champigny – red wine; Saumur mousseux – sparkling; Anjou AOC – Anjou produces many of the Loire Valley’s sweet wines made from Chenin Blanc. Unlike Champagne which is made with Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot Meunier, Saumur sparkling wine is based on the Chenin blanc grape. There is also some plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gamay, Malbec, Pineau d'aunis, and Pinot gris, Pinot noir. Saumur is an appellation in the Loire Valleycreated in 1936 for red,rose,and white wines from 31 communes around the town of that name.The Saumur Mousseux appellation was created for sparkling wines in 1976. They tend to go well with red meats, poultry, and light cheeses. So folks, give her the attention she deserves. [2] The area has a continental climate that is influenced heavily by the Loire River and the Atlantic ocean at the western edge of the region. Temperature control is also an important consideration with the cold autumn weather sometimes requiring that the must be heated in order to complete fermentation fully. ⁠The local name, Breton, was given to Franc when he came to the Loire via Brittany. On this note, I remember tasting some Meunier rosés from the Okanagan Valley (Canada). While the competition is not so much of a focal point now, there are still some producers who release early bottlings of the wine around the same time as Beaujolais. In the High Middle Ages, the wines of the Loire Valley were the most esteemed wines in England and France, even more prized than those from Bordeaux. The red Pinot noir wines are very light in both body and color that are not very similar to other French expression of the grape like those in Burgundy. … each highlighting Loire’s diversity and unique personas. 2006 Domaine André Dezat Sancerre Rouge 12.5%vol, France (£13.95; Berry Bros & Rudd). The area around Saumur-Champigny produces red wine based on the Cabernet franc grape that is similar in profile to the wines produced in St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. Chaptalization is permitted here and can help wine makers compensate for the under ripeness of the grapes in some years. 1 in the varietal charts!Now back in Loire... good luck finding her, for she’s kind of a rare fella. This grape requires no introduction... but let’s face it, Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t the first variety that comes to mind when you think of the Loire Valley. Often over-looked for red wines, parts of the Loire Valley are committed to the Cabernet Franc grape variety. [2] In the 19th century, the wines of the Chinon area were compared favorably by critics to the wines of Château Margaux and even today is considered some of the best expression of the Cabernet franc grape. Having been destroyed by phylloxera at the end of the 19th century, the vineyards were replanted with Sauvignon, a grape particularly well-suited to the region’s soil and climate. The Loire is France's longest river and vineyards run along its length. Smaller appellations in the region include-[2], The region was under the influence of the Duchy of Burgundy for most of its history which partly the reason why plantings were once heavily dominated by the Pinot noir grape. However, they deserve consideration from even the biggest wine snob. The Fumé is said to come from the silex flint interspersed with the limestone in the area that can give a smoky gunflint note to the wine. Temperature, rainfall and average sunshine time in Angers (Anjou): With over 185,000 acres (750 km2) planted under vine, the Loire Valley is about two-thirds the size of the Bordeaux wine region. As we’ve already mentioned, … First impressions of the 2020 vintage 27-11-2020. By the Middle Ages, the Loire was at the heart of France. But recent genetics studies are... 2. [2] The Loire Valley has a long history of winemaking dating back to the 1st century. Some of the higher quality wines are often labeled with the AOC designation Anjou-Villages. See also: Infographic Part 2: Six Uncommon Light-Skinned Grapes in Loire While native varietals are natural habitants of the Loire, grapes visiting from other regions also planted their roots here and those who thrived have claimed their rights to stay. Chenin Blanc (Pineau de la Loire) This is the Loire grape par excellence. At the midpoint between the more Latin south and the Germanic north, this is where culture an… Don't marginalize Merlot because she's a Loire minority, but whatever, she's kind of a big overall deal in France, no. MerNah? Some producers in the area are experimenting with oak aging their Sauvignon blanc to give them more rounder and softer appeal. … With Crémant production throughout the Loire, it is the second largest sparkling wine producer in France after Champagne. Chinon and Bourgueil. For red wines there has been more emphasis on extending the maceration time of skin contact in order to bring out more color and tannins into the wine. Charming examples can also be found in Auvergne (Upper Loire). The Loire's most famous reds, Chinon, Bourgueil and St-Nicolas de Bourgueil, are made to the same recipe as Saumur-Champigny, indeed Chinon is virtually an eastern extension of it. The villages of Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire are known for their crisp and herbaceous Sauvignon blancs. OG (Original Grape, haha..) is appropriate, because Pinot is an ancient berry and a progenitor of many other varieties like Chardonnay, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah, just to name a few.Her existence for over tow millenia had allowed for plenty of time to mutate. The two major grape varieties of the Anjou are Chenin blanc, known locally as Pineau de la Loire, which is used for dry, sweet, still and sparkling wine and Cabernet Franc which is used mostly for rosé and still red wines. With more vines competing for the same limited resources in the soil, the density is designed to compensate for the excessive yields that some of the grape varieties, like Chenin blanc, are prone to have. ... Wine varietals . Situated on the Loire River, the Loire Valley wine region lies just southeast of the city of Orleans in north central France. However the best made examples in top vintages can often live much longer. Like most of the vineyards of France, we can thank the Romans for getting things started. Today, there are more than 1k registered clones of Pinot. [3], The Loire Valley is often divided into three sections. [3], Archaeological evidence suggest that the Romans planted the first vineyards in the Loire Valley during their settlement of Gaul in the 1st century AD. The Spring to Loire wine tasting event was a blast. "Pascal Reverdy makes this wine in homage to his brother Nicolas, who passed away in a vineyard accident in 2007. There is Gamay beyond Beaujolais, where the grape is the most known for. [9], The area around Saumur is the third largest sparkling wine appellation in France after the Champagne region and the Crémant d'Alsace AOC with more than 12 million bottles of Saumur Mousseux produced each year. The Wine Cellar Company. And we know just where to go to enjoy the finest examples of each and every one, so book your SmoothRed … @loirewinelady recommended a Negrette called Grenouilliere produced by Jeremie Mourat from the Vendée, and I have tasted Mourat’s “Collection Rouge 2018” which was a blend of Cab Franc, Pinot Noir, Négette, and Côt. While there are still isolated batches of Pinot noir in the region, Sauvignon blanc is now the most heavily planted. The soil around the Touraine area is a variety of limestone with excellent drainage that is known as tuffeau which is the same material used to build many of the famous Loire Valley Châteaux. The villages of Bourgueil, Chinon and Saumur are known for their Cabernet franc based wines that range from light and fruity in Saumur to rich and velvety in Chinon. Read more. Some ideas for wine and food pairing with Central-Loire Valley wines. When grown properly (yield controlled, canopy managed, yada-yada), she can produce some expressive and fresh light reds. Red wine. Saumur is the heart of the Loire wine business; most leading regional merchants have their offices in the area. The Lower Loire that leads to the mouth of the river's entrance to the Atlantic goes through the Muscadet region which is dominated by wines of the Melon de Bourgogne grape. Now let's go snack on a Loire Pinot and don't forget to serve it slightly chilled. Wines labeled with just Pouilly or Pouilly-sur-Loire are often made from the Chasselas grape. These include the Tressallier grape of Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, the Romorantin of Cheverny, the Menu pineau and Groslot of Touraine and the Gros Plant of Nantes. Foreigners aren’t the only ones who have a difficult time understanding French wine. But recent genetics studies are pointing to the Spanish Basque Country for its place of origin... surprise! In addition to finding vineyards along the Loire, several of the river's tributaries are also well planted-including the Allier, Cher, Indre, Loir, Sèvre Nantaise and Vienne Rivers. The Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France refers to any varietally labeled wine, such as Chardonnay, that is produced in the region outside of an AOC designation. Not to mention its dry and off-dry rosés, elegant fizzes and luscious dessert wines. Meet Pinot "the OG" Noir. Impress your guests with your expert knowledge of the 'Garden of France' Overview: At 1,000km the Loire is the longest river valley in France, meandering through varied terrain that is reflected in the region’s broad range of wine styles and fantastic variety of cuisine. Cab Franc is the Loire’s signature red grape, and these four appellations form the core of red wine making in the Loire. Skip to main content . A vinous journey along the Loire Valley takes in crisp Muscadets around Nantes, the gorgeously sweet ‘moëlleux’ Chenin Blancs of the Coteaux du Layon and the superbly complex dry Savennières from around Angers, then … During these cool vintages the Sauvignon blanc based wines are lighter in color, less fruity and have more pronounced mineral notes. Many of the better made examples come out of this period with their full palate of flavors and can continue to age well into 20 years. The Phylloxera epidemic of the 19th century altered that dynamic when many of the Pinot noir vineyards were wiped out by the louse. [10], The Muscadet region is located at the westernmost edge of the Loire Valley near the city of Nantes. Throughout the years it was known in the region under a variety of synonyms including Pineau de la Loire and Franc-blanc. This variety is characterized by a layer of white hairs on the underside of leaves that look like a dusting of flour, hence the name Meunier, French for “miller”…. ⁠Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, two household grape varieties, are his progenies. Wishlist + Favourites + £9.99-+ Add to basket. The wines of the Chinon area are the softest and rich expression of the grape while the Bourgueil area produces more tannic and firm wines. 1 (1853) France. Then, she plays a supporting role in the red blends in Anjou Village, Bourgueil, and Chinon, adding black fruits, acid, tannins, and structure to the local cuvées. Nor its rich earthy reds made from Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Pouilly-Fumé only produces white wines while Sancerre produces red, white and rosé wines. Alsace Amarone Argentina Australia Barbera Batasiolo Bordeaux Burgundy Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Chile d'Arenberg E Guigal Faiveley France Germany Italy Joseph Drouhin Lafite Loire Louis Jadot Malbec Marchesi Di Barolo Masi Merlot Montes Alpha Moscato Nebbiolo New Zealand Others Penfold Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Pio Cesare Prosecco Rhone Riesling Sangiovese Sauvignon Blanc Shiraz … In between are the regions of Anjou wine, Saumur, Bourgueil, Chinon, and Vouvray. The key white-wine grape varieties used to make Loire Valley whites are Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne and, more popular than traditional, Chardonnay. It is best known for its traditional-method sparkling wines made from Chenin Blanc, but also contains the very good red wine-producing region of Saumur Champigny, where the variety … In the Loire Valley, it is the principal variety rosés of Touraine Noble-Joué and the reds/rosés of Orléans. Seraph Reserve Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2019. Sauvignon Blanc. The mid 1990s saw an increase in the number of négociant and co-operative to where now about half of Sancerre and almost 80% of Muscadet is bottled by a négociant or co-op. Varietal examples are rare, but do exist. The wines can vary in sweetness from bone dry (often appearing as sec on the wine label) to very sweet moelleux wines that are often infected by noble rot. While most Pinots are planted in the eastern stretch of Loire, some can be found in the Lower Loire, too (I KNOW!!!). There is Gamay beyond Beaujolais, where the grape is the most known for. The area includes 87 appellations under the Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC), Vin Délimité de Qualité Superieure (VDQS) and Vin de pays systems. The Loire Valley is the third largest producer of AOC … The Cabernet franc based wines are also lighter in color with more vegetal or "weed"-like aromas. Sustainable. IGP is the way to go for 100% varietal examples, and the only AOP that allows Merlot in the blend is Haut-Poitou just south of Chinon. Discover the friendly, diversity, fresh and fruity wines of France and explore the region they come from. The wines from this region can achieve a nice purple color with notes of raspberry fruit and graphite. In Ontario, grolleau can be found on some restaurant’s wine list. The white Sauvignon blanc based wines from this region has characteristic gooseberry and grapefruit flavors with the Pouilly-Fumé version typically being more full bodied and rich in texture. [5], The area around Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil produces the majority of the Loire Valley's red wine based on the Cabernet franc grape—known in this areas as Breton. The Loire Valley is France's most diverse wine region, producing exemplary wines in every style. [5] Cabernet Franc is an important red wine grape variety in the Anjou. Did the winemaker did that as a nod to Touraine-Orléans? There are two generic designations that can be used across the whole of the Loire Valley. [11] The area's four appellation all produces white wine made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape. For white wines the main grape is Chenin blanc but Sauvignon blanc and (to a smaller extent) Chardonnay is also planted. The Upper Loire includes the Sauvignon blanc dominated areas of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Unlike Cabernet franc from warmer climates, Chinon are typically served slightly cooler than most red wine. 100% Pinot Noir. The two towns of Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire (where Pouilly-Fumé is made) sit on opposite sides of the Loire river with Sancerre being about 10 miles (16 km) to the northwest of Pouilly. Enter Code SPEND60 for 5% off orders over £60, or SPEND100 for 10% off orders over £100! [12], Historically the wineries of the Loire Valley have been small, family owned operations that do a lot of estate bottling. Located in the most diverse wine … [8], The Anjou region of the Middle Loire is situated around the town of Angers and is known primarily for the rosé wines based on the Grolleau and Cabernet franc, including the Rosé d'Anjou and the Cabernet d'Anjou. [2], The region around Vouvray, Montlouis-sur-Loire and Touraine has some of the most diverse plantings of all the Loire region and makes a wide variety of white, red and rosé wines. Loire Valley - The Loire is a tremendous region offering the wine lover great diversity. The Crémant de Loire which refers to any sparkling wine made according to the traditional method of Champagne. Sancerre, Loire Valley, France. But with pioneering producers spearheading an organic revolution, and over 4,000 wineries, there’s better variety on offer here than ever before. WHITE / ReD / rosé WINES. During the harvest months rain can cause the grapes to be harvested under ripe but can also aid in the development of Botrytis cinerea for the region's dessert wines.[3]. [4], Climatology from 1947 to 2008 - Angers, France, "Didier Dagueneau Dies in Aircraft Crash at 52", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Loire_Valley_(wine)&oldid=997001624, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. The St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil area produces the lightest colored wines. But let’s not forget the Loire Valley’s fine, fruity red wines made from Pinot Noir and Gamay. 10 Red Grape Varieties in the Loire Valley 1. [2], For years the Touraine region would compete with the Beaujolais region for the release of an early bottling of Gamay that would rival the Beaujolais nouveau. ⁠. While most of the production in this region is in the form of a white wine, there are some red wines produced in the Loire Valley and they are the second largest sparkling wine producer in France following Champagne. By the 5th century, the flourishing viticulture of the area was noted in a publication by the poet Sidonius Apollinaris. Spread out across the Loire Valley are 87 appell… The Loire Valley Region is Best Known for its Fruity-style White Wine. Another possibility for the name is the early morning fog created by the Loire river that can blanket the vineyards. A famous white wine from this area of the Loire Valley is the Chenin Blanc which is also produced in Chinon. Pinot Meunier is a mutation of the Pinot Noir grape. The region can be divided into three main areas: Muscadet, nearest the coast, is created from the Melon de Bourgogne grape. The Loire Valley itself follows the river through the Loire province to the river's origins in the Cévennes but the majority of the wine production takes place in the regions noted above. In his work the History of the Franks, Bishop Gregory of Tours wrote of the frequent plundering by the Bretons of the area's wine stocks. For a survey of Loire Valley reds, check out the lineup of wines produced at Domaine des Grandes Espérances, situated in the heart of Touraine. Meet Grolleau Noir, a dark berry that is widely planted, rather productive, and commonly used in rosé and red blends in Loire. These appellations border the Loire river and, in the case of Chinon, the Vienne, and are protected from cold north and east winds by large areas of forest. Cabernet Franc. I am a sucker for the ones from the Upper Loire… must be something to do with the volcanos?! The Loire Valley, arguably the northernmost wine region of France, is home to grapes that are especially good at thriving in cooler climates. Maybe the grape would grow better if you play Spanish music in the vineyard during nap time. Some Sancerre vineyards have as many as 10,000 plants per hectare. How is a wine region as emblematically north as the Loire Valley capable of producing serious red wines? [3], Winemaking in the Loire is characterised by a general avoidance of barrel ageing and malolactic fermentation. All these varied Loire Valley wines offer their own charms. At a Parisian café a few months ago, I asked the waiter if he had a red Sancerre. In areas where forests and hills protect the vineyards from cold winds, the aspects of vineyards allow for ample sunshine, and bodies of water regulate growing temperatures, we may find the perfect conditions for red grapes to ripen and transcend into brilliant and expressive wines. Red wines Arguably the best Loire reds are produced from Cabernet Franc grapes in the famous appellations of Bourgueil, Chinon, St. Nicolas de Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny. Three French red wines to open in a couple of months 6 & 7. For a long time, many people thought Cab Franc came from Bordeaux. MerYah! Rich in the region’s famed tuffeau, this calcareous rock was quarried centuries ago, leaving perfect cellars for aging Saumur wines. Some of the Sauvignon blanc based wines like Sancerre buck this trend and instead stay more low key till their third year when they mature and develop their full assortment of flavors before they eventually fade around their 7-10th year. [4] Due to its location and marginal climate, the overall quality of a vintage has a dramatic effect on the quality of the region's wines—more so than with other French wine regions. PRESS . The wines have a fruity aroma with sweet spices. The Loire Valley is often divided into three sections. 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