Anjou-Saumur Vineyard – 18 AOC
The Anjou-Saumur Vineyard, a prominent Loire Valley wine region, spans 20,000 hectares across Deux-Sèvres, Maine-et-Loire, and Vienne.
Bounded by Angers, Bourgueil, Chalonnes, and Saumur, it produces a diverse range of wines, including reds (31%), rosés (35%), whites (18%), and fizzy varieties (16%), earning its AOC status in 1936. With vineyards on chalk, sand, clay, and silica soils, it benefits from an oceanic climate with continental influences.
Anjou-Saumur is renowned for its exceptional dry, sweet, and sparkling white wines, as well as its quality reds. Chenin Blanc, introduced by the Romans 2,000 years ago and locally known as Pineau de la Loire Blanc, is a prized grape variety cherished for its aromatic richness. Particularly along the Layon and Aubance rivers, a microclimate fosters Noble Rot (Botrytis cinerea), enhancing sugar concentrations and aroma.
Additionally, Saumur-Champigny stands out, crafted from a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, thriving in the chalky soils of the region. Some reds are also made from Gamay and Grolleau grapes, contributing to the vineyard’s diverse offerings.
The Anjou-Saumur Vineyard has 18 AOC:
Anjou, Anjou Villages, Anjou Villages Brissac, Anjou Côteaux de la Loire, Bonnezeaux, Cabernet d’Anjou, Cabernet de Saumur, Côteaux de l’Aubance, Côteaux de Saumur, Côteaux du Layon, Crémant de Loire, Haut Poitou, Quarts de Chaume, Rosé d’Anjou, Rosé de Loire, Saumur, Saumur Champigny and Savennières
Anjou – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
The AOC Anjou boasts a variety of wines, including reds, whites, and sparkling varieties. Its 2,500 hectares of vineyards span across 126 municipalities in Maine-et-Loire, 14 in Deux-Sèvres, and 9 in Vienne.
Anjou rouge, predominantly crafted from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, supplemented with Pineau d’Aunis and Grolleau (up to 30%), offers a glowing ruby hue.
Refreshing and delicately balanced, it features fine tannins and aromas of red fruit and florals, pairing well with charcuterie and grilled meats. With a lifespan of 3 to 5 years, it should be served at 14°C.
Anjou Gamay, a simple and fruity red exclusively made from Gamay grapes, is best enjoyed in the year of production at 13°C.
Anjou rouge mousseux, a minor production, presents an aperitif option with pleasant red fruit aromas.
Anjou Blanc, blending Pineau de la Loire with Chardonnay and Sauvignon (up to 20%), showcases a pale yellow hue with green hints. This refreshing, rounded wine pairs well with seafood and white meats and can age up to 10 years.
Anjou blanc mousseux, produced using the traditional Méthode Champenoise, combines Chenin, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay (up to 20%), Gamay, Grolleau Grey, and Pineau d’Aunis. With delightful white fruit aromas, it serves as an excellent champagne alternative, best served at 8°C and surprisingly age-worthy.
Anjou rosé, a semi-dry wine from a blend of grape varieties, including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec-Côt, Gamay, Grolleau, Grolleau Gray, and Pineau d’Aunis, can be stored for up to 2 years.
Anjou rosé mousseux, crafted from the same grape varieties except Malbec-Cot, offers a sparkling option in the rosé category.
Anjou Villages – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
Anjou Villages, a dry red wine, received its AOC designation in 1991. Its 200 hectares span across 43 municipalities in Maine-et-Loire and 3 in Deux-Sèvres. This wine is primarily crafted from a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, boasting a deep red hue and aromas of black fruit. With its notable tannins, it maintains its quality for 5 to 6 years and pairs excellently with grilled white meats when served at 16°C.
Anjou Villages Brissac – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
Anjou Villages Brissac, a dry red wine, obtained its AOC status in 1998. Spanning 104 hectares, it encompasses 10 municipalities surrounding the Château of Brissac in Maine-et-Loire. Crafted from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine offers a more intricate profile than regular Anjou Villages due to its unique soil composition of schist, sandstone, and marl. With its deep red hue and floral aromas, it pairs excellently with grilled meats and game when served at 16°C. The finest vintages can age gracefully for up to 10 years.
Anjou Côteaux de la Loire – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
The 120-hectare vineyard spans the sun-drenched slopes of 10 municipalities near Angers and earned its AOC designation in 1946. Anjou Côteaux de la Loire, a sweet white wine crafted from Chenin, is a limited-production gem shaped by weather conditions conducive to Noble Rot formation. This fungus enriches the grapes’ sugar content, yielding a pale yellow wine with evolving hues of green, gold, slate, and amber as it matures. Soft and light, yet bursting with Chenin Blanc’s aromatic intensity, it ages gracefully for 2 to 10 years, with exceptional vintages enduring up to 15 years. Best served at 8°C, it pairs beautifully with foie gras and excels as a dessert wine.
Bonnezeaux – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
Bonnezeaux, a magnificent sweet white wine crafted solely from Chenin Blanc, flourishes across 120 hectares in Thouarcé, Maine-et-Loire, along the Layon River. With historical records praising its quality dating back to 1055, its proximity to the river fosters the requisite moisture levels for Noble Rot development. This fungus, dehydrating the grapes and enhancing sugar concentration, results in individually selected grapes yielding wines with opulent fruit jelly aromas. “Standard” Bonnezeaux, initially golden yellow with green tints, matures into a deep yellow with orangish hues if affected by Noble Rot. Exquisitely refined yet robust, it tantalizes with dried and white fruit aromas, interwoven with floral notes. Perfect with foie gras or dessert, serve chilled at 8°C; its ageability is indefinite!
Cabernet d’Anjou – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
Cabernet d’Anjou Rosé, crafted exclusively from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, flourishes across 4000 hectares in the Cabernet d’Anjou vineyard. This expansive area yields a remarkably round, sometimes even sweet (moelleux), pink wine with salmon hues. Exhibiting a finely balanced sugar-alcohol ratio, it boasts a dense yet velvety texture, punctuated by hints of fresh mint and English sweetness. Ideal as both an aperitif and dessert wine, it’s best enjoyed within two years of production, served chilled at 8°C. Refreshing and immensely satisfying, it’s the perfect companion for a balmy summer evening!
Cabernet de Saumur – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
The Cabernet de Saumur, crafted from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet d’Anjou, as its name suggests, is a dry rosé wine. With its radiant raspberry color accented by delicate pink hues, it exudes enticing aromas of red fruit. Refreshing and vibrant, it makes for an excellent aperitif, best served at 12°C and enjoyed within two years of production.
Côteaux de l’Aubance – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
The Côteaux de l’Aubance, spanning 160 hectares across ten communities south of Angers in Maine-et-Loire, obtained its AOC designation in 1950.
Chenin Blanc vines adorn the slopes of the river Aubance, yielding a sweet white wine boasting a deep yellow hue with golden highlights. This fresh, refined wine offers enticing aromas of ripe white fruit, candied orange, and delicate floral notes, all harmonized with a superb balance of sugar, alcohol, and acidity. Ideal as an apéritif, it should be served at 8°C and can be cellared for up to 10 years.
Grapes left to mature late develop the Noble Rot, or Botrytis cinerea fungus, which enhances sugar concentration. Carefully selected, these grapes infuse the wine with a golden amber color and rich aromas of candied fruit and honey, making it an exquisite accompaniment to foie gras and desserts, and capable of aging gracefully for up to 15 years!
Côteaux de Saumur – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
The Côteaux de Saumur, a small vineyard spanning 50 hectares across 20 communities in Maine-et-Loire, 2 in Deux-Sèvres, and 9 in Vienne, earned its AOC designation in 1962. Notably producing a sweet white wine, it benefits from late harvesting to encourage the development of Noble Rot. Hand-selected desiccated grapes contribute to a wine boasting exquisite honey aromas. Its deep golden color, tinged with beautiful amber hues, deepens further if affected by the Noble Rot, leading to an elegant wine with a superb balance of sugar, alcohol, and acidity, complemented by remarkable notes of honey and candied fruit. Best served at 10°C alongside foie gras and desserts, its finest vintages can mature for at least 15 years, promising exceptional longevity.
Côteaux du Layon – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
The Côteaux du Layon, spanning 1,400 hectares across 27 municipalities southwest of Angers in Maine-et-Loire, is renowned for its exquisite sweet white wine primarily crafted from Chenin Blanc.
This coveted Anjou-Saumur AOC is situated on the slopes of the Layon River, where the favorable humidity and mild climate promote the development of Noble Rot. Once the grapes are sufficiently desiccated by the fungus, they are meticulously hand-harvested.
Within the AOC Côteaux du Layon are specific geographical designations denoting terroirs conducive to high sugar yields, allowing these smaller vineyards to append their name to the appellation Côteaux-du-Layon:
Beaulieu-sur-Layon, Chaume, Faye d’anjou, Rablay-sur-Layon, Rochefort sur-Loire, Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné andSaint-Lambert-du-Lattay.
Some wines are also labeled with the words ‘selection de grains nobles’ if the grapes were affected by botrytis. The Côteaux du Layon ‘standard’ presents a pleasing yellow color with gold or green hues. It offers a delightful combination of softness, lightness, elegance, and refreshment, with a balanced acidity and wonderful aromas of honey. Côteaux du Layon wines produced with grapes affected by Noble Rot are further distinguished by their enhanced structure and refinement. They exhibit exquisite aromas of candied fruits, with nuances influenced by the terroir, evolving into floral notes with aging. Granted an AOC in 1950, Côteaux du Layon wines pair perfectly with foie gras or serve as an excellent aperitif. They boast excellent aging potential, with the finest vintages lasting indefinitely.
Crémant de Loire – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
Explore the Crémant de Loire, a sparkling white or rosé wine crafted in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions.
Haut Poitou – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
Uncover the Haut Poitou, a wine crafted in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions.
Quarts de Chaume – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
The Quarts de Chaume is a splendid sweet white wine, its 50-hectare vineyard nestled in Rochefort, southwest of Angers in Maine-et-Loire, shining as the star of the Loire Valley! Thriving on the sunny slopes between the Loire and Layon rivers, the vines benefit from the region’s moisture and mild climate, fostering the growth of the Noble Rot. This fungus dehydrates the grapes, enhancing sugar concentration and infusing the wine with rich aromas of honey.
Though officially recognized with an AOC in 1950, the Quarts de Chaume has a legacy dating back to the 11th century. Legend holds that the Seigneur de Chaume secured the right to a quarter—quart—of his vineyard’s yield, while the rest was allocated to his lord.
This wine exhibits emerald hues that deepen into gold with amber tones as it matures. It boasts a delicate yet lively character, with a harmonious balance of sugar, alcohol, and acidity, complemented by captivating notes of honey, spices, and exotic fruits. Best served at 9°C, it pairs beautifully with foie gras and decadent fruit desserts. With great vintages enduring for at least 20 years and others gracefully aging for 5, the Quarts de Chaume is truly a timeless delight.
Rosé d’Anjou – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
The Rosé d’Anjou emerged in the late 19th century during the widespread replanting of French vineyards following the devastation of phylloxera epidemics.
Crafted primarily from Grolleau grapes, it also features Cabernets, Gamay, Cot, and Pineau d’Aunis.This delightful wine is characterized by its simplicity, joviality, and sweetness, with winemakers permitted to retain residual sugar levels ranging from 7g to 20g per liter.Covering an expansive 2500 hectares, the production area of Rosé d’Anjou is spread throughout the AOC Anjou region.
Displaying hues ranging from pale to medium pink, Rosé d’Anjou presents a rounded, refreshing profile, boasting vibrant aromas of red and black fruits alongside a well-balanced interplay of acidity, alcohol, and sugar. Best enjoyed alongside desserts featuring red fruits or as a delightful aperitif, it is recommended to be consumed young and served at a cool temperature of 10°C.
Rosé de Loire – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
Explore the Rosé de Loire, a crisp and dry pink wine crafted in the regions of Anjou-Saumur and Touraine.
Saumur – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
Saumur Rouge is crafted primarily from Cabernet Franc, complemented by up to 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and Pineau d’Aunis. Its radiant ruby hue, tinged with violet, heralds aromas of both red and black fruits. With a rich tapestry of fine tannins, it exudes density, aroma, and elegance. While best enjoyed young, select vintages can age gracefully for over a decade, pairing exquisitely with red meats at 16°C.
Saumur Puy-Notre-Dame, established in 2006, epitomizes a robust, dry red wine boasting a deep, vibrant color and a robust character. Crafted predominantly from Cabernet Franc Noir, with a maximum of 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, it reveals a compelling medley of red and black fruit aromas, supported by fine tannins. Perfectly suited for grilled red meats, this wine ages beautifully for at least 15 years, served best at 15°C.
Saumur Blanc presents itself in a delicate pale yellow hue, embodying finesse, freshness, and balance. With nuanced aromas of white fruits underscored by floral and mineral notes, it offers a refined drinking experience. Ideal with seafood and fish, this wine ages gracefully for over a decade, best enjoyed at 13°C.
Saumur Mousseux Blanc enchants with its shimmering pale yellow color, accented by golden hues. Delicate bubbles dance in its light and dense foam, releasing enchanting aromas of white fruit. This sparkling delight, imbued with freshness and vitality, makes for a delightful aperitif, served chilled at 8°C.
Saumur Mousseux Rosé casts a charming presence with its captivating salmon pink hue. Robust in character, it reveals tannic structure and evocative aromas of red fruit. Perfectly suited for unconventional dishes and desserts, it is best served chilled at 8°C, offering a memorable sparkling experience.
Saumur Champigny – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
Saumur Champigny stands as another illustrious red wine within the esteemed Loire Valley repertoire.
Spanning 1580 hectares across 9 municipalities nestled between Saumur and Montsoreau in Maine-et-Loire, this vineyard has been cultivating excellence since its AOC recognition in 1936.The name “Champigny” harkens back to its Latin roots, “campus igni,” signifying hot lands, a nod to the region’s sun-drenched summers.Crafted from a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine draws its essence from the gravel, sand, and clay soils overlaying limestone bedrock.
With a deep ruby hue accented by purple undertones, Saumur Champigny unveils a bouquet of red and black fruits intertwined with floral and occasionally spicy nuances. Soft, supple, and imbued with deep yet refined tannins, it offers a refreshing and vibrant drinking experience. Aged gracefully for a decade, it pairs exquisitely with lamb and andouillette, best served at 16°C to fully appreciate its finesse and flavor.
Savennières – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
Savennières, crafted from Chenin Blanc, epitomizes the elegance of the Loire Valley with its dry, semi-dry, or sweet variations. Spanning 300 hectares across Savennières, La Possonnière, and Bouchemaine, southwest of Angers in Maine-et-Loire, this vineyard boasts two esteemed crus: La Coulée de Serrant and La Roche aux Moines.
Blessed with a unique terroir of schist, sandstone, and sand, Savennières owes its origins to the Romans, who planted vines on the south-facing slopes along the Loir River two millennia ago. Throughout the Middle Ages, Benedictine monks further cultivated this revered vineyard. Predominantly known for its dry and semi-dry iterations, sweet Savennières remains a rarity. Delivering a straw-yellow hue with green reflections, Savennières entices with floral, citrus, white fruit, and mineral aromas.This versatile wine, marked by freshness and refinement, gracefully ages for up to 15 years, proving an ideal companion to fish and white meat, best enjoyed at 11°C.
La Coulée de Serrant – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
Planted by Cistercian monks in the 12th century, La Coulée de Serrant vineyard yields an extraordinary wine of unmatched distinction.
Exuding a captivating pale yellow hue with subtle straw tones, it delights the senses with aromas of ripe yellow fruit and exotic blooms. Renowned for its complexity and nobility, this wine reveals a dense yet vibrant character, boasting a harmonious interplay of minerals and enduring aromatics. Often referred to as “divine nectar” by connoisseurs, it gracefully matures over 15 years. Best served at 11°C, it pairs exquisitely with sea or river fish. Rare and coveted, La Coulée de Serrant doux (sweet) emerges from grapes touched by the Noble Rot, offering a mesmerizing bouquet of candied fruit, white blossoms, and exotic nuances.
La Roche aux Moines – Anjou-Saumur Vineyard
La Roche aux Moines captivates with its luminous pale yellow hue, tinged with hints of green, and seductive aromas of white flowers and candied fruit. Exhibiting remarkable texture, refreshing vibrancy, and exquisite aromatic depth, it promises a truly exceptional tasting experience. Best served at 11°C, it pairs magnificently with crayfish. With its impressive longevity, the finest vintages of La Roche aux Moines will gracefully evolve over a minimum of 10 years, further enhancing its allure.
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 site – Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Noble Rot by Edwin CC BY-SA 2.0 – Vineyard around Savennières by Jamesonf CC BY 2.0 – Côteaux du Layon by Raydou Public domain – Vineyard map by DalGobboM CC BY-SA 4.0
