Auvergne Vineyard – Origin
The Auvergne vineyard is the most prestigious of the five wine appellations of the Loire Valley .
Spanning the departments of Allier, Puy-de-Dôme, and Loire, it boasts a rich history and is among the oldest vineyards in France.
It dates back approximately 2,000 years, when the Romans planted the first vines. In the Middle Ages, religious communities played a significant role in its development.
However, the Dukes of Bourbon and Counts of Auvergne greatly contributed to the promotion and renown of their vineyard. This influential lineage maintained close ties with the French monarchy since the 13th century, when Beatrice, daughter of Robert of Clermont, married the son of King Louis IX (Saint-Louis).
The Counts of Auvergne not only put in place various charters to regulate the sale of their wines, but they also introduced them to the royal table, thus reinforcing their prestige.
Auvergne Vineyard – 4 AOC
The northern and western parts of the Auvergne vineyard benefit from an oceanic climate, but the southern areas experience a mountain climate, marked by significant seasonal temperature variations.
The vines thrive in a wide variety of soils, composed of granite, sand, and volcanic rock.
Thanks to this terroir, the Auvergne vineyard produces a rich diversity of wines, including reds, rosés, and whites.
The red wines are primarily made from the prestigious Gamay and Pinot Noir grape varieties, while the white wines are a blend of Chardonnay, Tressalier, Aligoté, and Sauvignon Blanc.
The 4 AOC are Côtes d’Auvergne, Côtes du Forez, Côte Roannaise and Saint-Pourçain.
Auvergne Vineyard – Côtes d’Auvergne
The Côtes d’Auvergne, the oldest wine region in France, was among the top three until the 19th century. Its unique terroir, with soils rich in granite, sand, volcanic rock, and basalt, benefits from both oceanic and mountain climates.
This historic vineyard produces a diverse range of wines, including prestigious reds with three distinct appellations, Boudes, Chanturge, and Châteaugay, as well as a rosé called Corent. Acclaimed for its quality, this 400-hectare estate obtained AOC status in 2011 and now covers 54 communes in the Puy-de-Dôme department.
The Côtes d’Auvergne Blanc, made from Chardonnay grapes, has a pale yellow colour with golden highlights. This dense and lively wine exudes a refreshing acidity and is best enjoyed at 13°C, pairing perfectly with seafood or fish. Best enjoyed within three years of bottling.
The Côtes d’Auvergne Rouge, made primarily from Gamay and Pinot Noir, has an intense ruby colour with violet highlights. Offering a harmonious balance of acidity, tannins, and alcohol, this wine is distinguished by its elegance and pairs wonderfully with grilled meats and game. It can be aged for up to five years. The Côtes d’Auvergne Boudes, Chanturgue, and Châteaugay appellations produce full-bodied red wines, characterised by intense tannins and notes of liquorice, perfect for accompanying game dishes.
The Côtes d’Auvergne Rosé boasts a vibrant pink colour and a structured, pleasant flavour profile. Côtes d’Auvergne Corent have a distinctive, deeper pink colour and a complex aromatic profile, ideal for refined cuisine.
Auvergne Vineyard – Côtes du Forez
The appellation Côtes du Forez dates back to a charter from 980 AD!
Nestled in the Forez plain, near Montbrison in the Loire department, this vineyard benefits from a unique climate, combining oceanic and mountain influences, and thrives on soils rich in granite, sand, volcanic rock, and basalt.
Spanning 17 communes and covering 200 hectares, this vineyard was granted AOC status in 2000, positioning it as the furthest upstream of the Loire Valley vineyards. Rooted in the volcanic foothills of the Massif Central, it is among the oldest vineyards in France, and specialises in the production of red and rosé wines from the Gamay grape.
The Côtes du Forez Rouge has a ruby colour with red highlights. This exceptional wine delights the palate with its round, finely integrated tannins and aromas of red fruit, subtly enhanced with notes of spice and game. Best enjoyed young, it pairs wonderfully with charcuterie, served at 14°C.
The Côtes du Forez Rosé boasts fruity and delicate character and delicious notes of red fruit. Refreshingly rounded, it is ideal as an aperitif or to accompany fish and white meats, served at 11°C.
Auvergne Vineyard – Côte Roannaise
The Côte Roannaise, renowned for its red and rosé wines made from the Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc grape, also known as Saint-Romain, offers a most pleasing aromatic profile.
Spanning 200 hectares and holding AOC status since 1994, this vineyard covers 14 communes west of Roanne, in the Loire Valley, and benefits from a climate blending oceanic and mountain influences. Thriving in soils rich in granite, sand, volcanic rock, and basalt, the vines produce wines of exceptional quality and character.
The Côte Roannaise Rouge boasts a charming cherry colour with violet highlights and exudes pleasant aromas of ripe red and black fruits. This well-balanced wine offers excellent value and is best enjoyed at 14°C with charcuterie. Some vintages will benefit from a few years of ageing to develop their full complexity.
With its delicate salmon hue, Côte Roannaise Rosé boasts aromas of white and exotic fruits. Round, lively, and refreshing, it is ideal as an aperitif served at 8°C, revealing the unique charm of this prestigious vineyard.
Auvergne Vineyard – Saint-Pourçain
Saint-Pourçain is considered the jewel of the Auvergne vineyard. These wines gained prestigious renown in the 14th century, when King Philip the Fair organised the first wine competition in France, highlighting the exceptional quality of their terroir.
Spanning 19 communes around Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule in the Allier department, this 640-hectare vineyard was granted AOC status in 2009, confirming its position as one of the oldest and most prestigious wine regions in France. Its origins date back to the Romans, who planted the first vines 2,000 years ago, and its development continued under the impetus of Benedictine monks during the Middle Ages. Saint-Pourcain wines were introduced to the royal table by the Dukes of Bourbon and the Counts of Auvergne. Benefiting from an oceanic climate with continental influences, the vineyard thrives on diverse soils, ranging from the sandy soils of the Bourbonnais region to granite, limestone, clay, volcanic rock, and basalt.
The Saint-Pourçain Rouge, boats a cherry-red colour and brilliant purple highlights, and offers aromas of red fruits, particularly cherry, mingled with floral and spicy notes of violet, peony, and pepper. This versatile wine is appealing for its roundness, freshness, and spicy notes, complemented by sufficient tannic structure. Best served at 14°C, it pairs perfectly with charcuterie, and some vintages can age for more than five years.
With its deep pink colour, Saint-Pourçain Rosé exudes seductive aromas of white and red fruits, especially raspberry, accompanied by floral and spicy nuances. This round and lively wine offers a most pleasant tasting experience, ideal as an aperitif served at 10°C.
The Saint-Pourçain Blanc has a pale yellow colour with greenish highlights and offers aromas of citrus, white-fleshed fruit, and delicate floral notes. This full-bodied, fresh, and fruity wine pairs harmoniously with fish when served at 11°C.
Please remember to drink responsibly www.drinkaware.co.uk – L’abus d’alcool est dangereux pour la santé, à consommer avec modération – Resource Vin-Vigne – Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Côtes du Forez by Wikijoe Public domain – Côte Roannaise by Magnetbox CC BY 2.0 – Boudes vineyard by Marie-Lan Nguyen CC BY 4.0 – Saint-Pourçain wine by Romainbehar CC0 – Vineyard map by DalGobboM CC BY-SA 4.0
