Touraine Vineyard – 15 AOC
Touraine is a vast wine region of approximately 5,500 hectares that spreads along the banks of the Loire and Cher rivers, from Saumur to Orléans. Spread across 70 communes in several departments, including Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret, Sarthe, and Vienne, this region benefits from a temperate climate influenced by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Romans planted the first vines twenty centuries ago. However, it was the monks of the Abbey of Marmoutier who truly developed viticulture in the 4th century.
The Touraine terroir is diverse: the vines thrive in soils composed of chalk (tuffeau), limestone, gravel, clay, and flint, each imparting unique characteristics to the wines produced. Touraine has a rich array of wine styles, including reds, rosés, whites, sweet (moelleux), sparkling (mousseux), and semi-sparkling wines (pétillants).
The reds and rosés, known for their varying levels of tannins and dryness, are primarily made from grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec (Côt), Gamay, Grolleau, and Pineau d’Aunis.
Touraine white wines, renowned for their dryness, fruity aromas, and full-bodied structure, are mainly made from Chenin Blanc (locally known as Pineau de Loire), Melon de Bourgogne, Sauvignon Blanc, and Romorantin. Recognised for their exceptional ageing potential, these wines enjoy an excellent reputation.
Most Touraine wines were granted Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status in 1939, a testament to the region’s prestigious winemaking heritage. Currently, Touraine boasts an impressive portfolio of 15 AOC wines, each offering a unique expression of the terroir and winemaking expertise characteristic of this prestigious vineyard:
Touraine, Touraine Noble-Joué, Bourgueil, Cheverny, Cour-Cheverny, Chinon, Côteaux du Loir, Côteaux du Vendômois, Crémant de la Loire, Haut Poitou, Jasnières, Montlouis-sur-Loire, Rosé de Loire, St-Nicolas de Bourgueil and Vouvray
Touraine – Touraine Vineyard
Touraine wines offer a range of styles, from dry to off-dry and sweet, as well as a selection of reds, whites, and rosés, both still and sparkling.
Touraine Rouge: Made from Côt Noir and Cabernet Franc Noir, Touraine Rouge is renowned for its fruity character and deep red colour.
Touraine Rosé: This refreshing, light, and fruity wine is distinguished by its beautiful golden-pink colour with brown, almost grey, highlights. It is produced from a wide variety of grape varieties, including Gamay Noir, Meunier Noir, Pinot Noir, Grolleau Gris and Noir, Côt Noir, and Pineau d’Aunis.
Touraine Blanc: Primarily made from Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine Blanc boasts a lovely yellow colour with green highlights. It is characterised by its dryness, aromas, and minerality.
Touraine Sparkling White and Pétillant: These sparkling wines are characterised by their fine bubbles and are made from grape varieties such as Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay Blanc, Grolleau Gris, and Orbois Blanc.
Other grape varieties: The Touraine appellation also includes Touraine Sparkling Rosé and Touraine Primeur Rosé and Rouge, produced from a diverse selection of grape varieties. In addition to these grape varieties, the Touraine AOC encompasses six distinct geographical appellations: Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceaux, Mesland, Oisly, and Touraine Noble-Joué (classified separately).
Amboise – Touraine Vineyard
The 220-hectare vineyard surrounding the town of Amboise is renowned for its diverse production, primarily composed of red wines, followed by rosés and whites.
Amboise Rouge: Representing 60% of the vineyard’s production, Amboise Rouge is a blend of Cabernet Franc (or Breton), Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec-Côt, and Gamay Noir. This wine offers generous aromas of red fruit and musk.
Amboise Rosé: Representing 30% of the vineyard’s production, Amboise Rosé is a light and refreshing wine with floral aromas. It is made from the same grape varieties as Amboise Rouge, but in different proportions.
Amboise Blanc: Constituting the remaining 10% of production, Amboise Blanc is made from Pineau de la Loire. This fine white wine has notes of fruit, honey and citrus, and is available in sweet (mellow) and semi-dry versions.
Azay-le-Rideau – Touraine Vineyard
The charming vineyard surrounding the town of Azay-le-Rideau and its iconic château covers 65 hectares and has two delicious grape varieties:
Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau Blanc: Made from Pineau de la Loire grapes, this fruity and mineral white wine has a pale yellow colour. Its freshness offers a most pleasant tasting experience.
Touraine-Azay-le-Rideau Rosé: With a vibrant pink hue, this rosé is a refreshing blend of Chenin Blanc, Gamay, and Grolleau grapes. Its aromas of red berries make it an ideal choice for sunny days and convivial gatherings.
Chenonceau – Touraine Vineyard
Nestled near the Château de Chenonceau, this vineyard offers a charming selection of white and red wines:
Chenonceau Blanc: produced from the renowned Sauvignon Blanc grape, this dry white wine captures the essence of the region’s terroir. Fresh and lively, it offers a delightful tasting experience.
Chenonceau Rouge: Combining the rich flavours of Côt Noir and Cabernet Franc Noir, this red wine embodies the spirit of Chenonceau. Its depth and subtle aromas promise a great tasting experience for wine lovers.
Mesland – Touraine Vineyard
Nestled amidst picturesque landscapes, the Mesland vineyard offers a delightful selection of wines:
Mesland Rouge: With its rich aromas of red fruit and structured tannins, Mesland red wine awakens the senses. Made from the Gamay grape, it promises a subtle and flavorful tasting experience.
Mesland Rosé: Delicate yet powerful, Mesland rosé wine enchants with its vibrant colour and captivating aromas of red fruit and spices. Its perfect balance of flavours makes it an ideal choice for any occasion.
Mesland Blanc: This refreshing white wine, made from the Pineau de la Loire grape, reveals a rich and varied aromatic profile, ranging from fruit and spices to floral and mineral notes, and lively and fresh character.
Oisly – Touraine Vineyard
Oisly is a dry white wine that embodies the essence of its terroir with its tangy freshness and bright fruity aromas, which can be enjoyed alone or accompanied by seafood or light salads.
Touraine Noble-Joué – Touraine Vineyard
Bourgeuil – Touraine Vineyard
Saint-Nicolas de Bourgeuil – Touraine Vineyard
Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil, a vast 1,050-hectare vineyard named after the picturesque village in Indre-et-Loire, lies at the junction of the Indre-et-Loire and Maine-et-Loire communes in Anjou. Primarily renowned for its red wines made from the Cabernet Franc grape, with the possibility of incorporating up to 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this vineyard also produces a small quantity of rosé wines, representing only 2% of its total production.
Nestled on the slopes at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers, Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil benefits from a unique microclimate, protected from northern influences by lush woodland. This privileged exposure allows the vineyard to benefit from maritime influences, thus fostering optimal conditions for vine cultivation. The vines thrive in a mosaic of soils, composed of chalk, limestone, gravel, sand, and silt, each contributing distinctive nuances to the resulting wines.
While Bourgueil wines are renowned for their deep red colour and captivating aromas of ripe fruit and spice, their versatility allows them to elegantly complement grilled white meats, braised red meats, and fish, and to enhance the flavours of local goat cheeses. It is worth noting that wines from the region’s limestone terroirs exhibit remarkable ageing potential: some grape varieties can improve for 5 to 10 years, while those grown on gravelly soils generally display different ageing characteristics.
Cheverny – Touraine Vineyard
Cheverny, a 530-hectare vineyard, is renowned for its white, rosé, and red wines, prized for their invigorating freshness. Spanning 24 villages nestled in the heart of the picturesque Sologne region in the Loir-et-Cher department, this terroir benefits from a temperate climate, moderated by varying oceanic influences.
Awarded the prestigious Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) designation in 1993, the Cheverny vineyard is known for producing wines that fully express the essence of their terroir. The dry white wines, a flagship production, are primarily composed of Sauvignon Gris and Sauvignon Blanc, complemented by Orbois, Chardonnay, and Pineau de la Loire. While sparkling white wines contribute to the diversity of the offerings, the region is also renowned for its red and rosé wines, appreciated for their vibrant fruitiness and freshness.
The Cheverny Blanc boasts a pale yellow colour with green highlights. This refreshing and fruity wine, subtly rounded thanks to the Chardonnay, is best enjoyed within the first three years after bottling. Perfectly paired with seafood and the region’s delicious goat cheeses, it is ideally served at 8°C to fully appreciate its aromatic nuances.
The Cheverny Rouge, a blend of Gamay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec-Côt, displays a captivating ruby colour with violet highlights. Its fruity profile, underscored by delicate spicy notes, pairs wonderfully with poultry, red meats, and a variety of cheeses. With a remarkable ageing potential of up to 10 years, this seductive red wine is best enjoyed at 14°C to fully appreciate its depth and complexity.
The Cheverny Rosé, a delightful expression of the vineyard’s versatility, blends Pineau d’Aunis with the grape varieties used to make red wines. With its charming salmon hue, this rosé reveals a character that is both delicate and lively, enhanced by a fruity bouquet. Served at the ideal temperature of 8°C, it pairs beautifully with salads and grilled meats, making it the perfect companion for al fresco dining.
Cour Cheverny – Touraine Vineyard
Cour Cheverny, a white wine from the Sologne region in the Loir-et-Cher department, is produced in eleven communes. This small, 50-hectare vineyard is exclusively dedicated to the cultivation of the prestigious Romorantin Blanc grape variety, which first appeared in the 16th century.
Benefiting from a wide variety of soils, ranging from sand and clay to silica and limestone, the vineyard offers a rich mosaic of terroirs that give the wine a distinctive golden colour and a fruity bouquet. Enjoying a temperate climate marked by shifting oceanic influences, Cour Cheverny captures the essence of its environment with finesse and elegance.
Awarded the prestigious Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) designation in 1993, Cour Cheverny is a testament to the region’s winemaking heritage and its commitment to excellence. With every sip, this exquisite white wine invites connoisseurs on a sensory journey marked by an unparalleled depth of flavour and a captivating aroma, making it a precious jewel within the prestigious winemaking tradition of Loir-et-Cher.
Chinon – Touraine Vineyard
The Chinon vineyards stretch across more than 2,300 hectares around the medieval town of Chinon and its castle. Its prestigious reputation dates back to the 15th century, when the renowned humanist François Rabelais celebrated the virtues of “good Chinon wine” in his timeless poems.
Located at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers, Chinon enjoys a temperate climate, shaped by oceanic influences. The interplay of seasonal winds, from the warm, humid southwest to the cool, dry east, gives each vintage a distinct character, defining the nuances of Chinon wines. Granting its AOC status in 1937, Chinon produces a diverse range of red, rosé, and white wines, each reflecting the unique terroir from which it originates. From sandy and gravelly alluvial terraces to limestone slopes and clay plateaus, the Chinon vineyards draw their vitality from a rich mosaic of soils.
The renowned Chinon Rouge, made primarily from Cabernet Franc or Breton grape varieties, captivates with its ruby colour and complex bouquet of red fruit and minerals. Cabernet Sauvignon lends depth and structure, making this wine an ideal companion to red meats and cheeses. Certain vintages exhibit remarkable ageing potential.
The Chinon Rosé, with its delicate pink hue and vibrant notes of red and black fruit, offers a refreshing alternative to the red.
As for the Chinon Blanc, made from the prestigious Pineau de la Loire, it enchants with its pale yellow colour, floral aromas, and lively, fruity palate, making it a perfect match for seafood and, of course, the region’s famous oysters. In essence, Chinon wines reflect the region’s rich winemaking heritage and its unwavering commitment to excellence, inviting connoisseurs on a timeless journey of discovery with every sip.
Côteaux du Loir – Touraine Vineyard
The Côteaux du Loir vineyard, spanning nearly 80 hectares, is a haven for the production of red, rosé, and white wines, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the region’s viticultural heritage. Established with AOC status in 1948, this esteemed vineyard unfolds across 16 municipalities in Sarthe and 6 in Indre-et-Loire, gracing the landscape with its lush vineyards.
Nestled on the hills overlooking the Loir River and shielded from the north by verdant woodlands, the microclimate of the Côteaux du Loir region nurtures optimal conditions for grape cultivation. Here, the vines thrive in soils rich in chalk, limestone, silica, and clay, imbuing the wines with distinctive character and terroir-driven complexity.
The Côteaux du Loir red, a harmonious blend of Pineau d’Aunis, Gamay, Cabernet, and Malbec-Côt, captivates the senses with its bright red hue and enticing aromas of red fruits, flowers, and spices. Perfectly complementing red and white grilled meats, as well as regional charcuterie, this wine reveals its best qualities when served at a cool 14°C and can be enjoyed within three years of bottling.
Meanwhile, the Côteaux du Loir rosé, boasting a captivating salmon hue and delicate notes of citrus and spice, offers a refreshing interlude ideal for the aperitif. Crafted from a blend of grape varieties, including Grolleau Noir in addition to those used in the red, this rosé delights the palate when served at a crisp 10°C.
Completing the trio is the Côteaux du Loir white, available in both dry and semi-dry expressions, showcasing a beautiful yellow hue with green undertones. With its invigorating aromas of citrus, flowers, and a subtle mineral edge, this refreshing wine pairs exquisitely with fish, poultry, and the renowned goat cheeses of the region. Best served chilled at 10°C, the white Côteaux du Loir benefits from cellar aging, offering enhanced complexity and depth when enjoyed after 5 to 10 years of maturation.
Côteaux du Vendômois – Touraine Vineyard
The Côteaux du Vendômois vineyard, spanning 150 hectares along the picturesque banks of the Loir River, is a treasure trove of red, grey (gris), and white wines, each bearing the distinct imprint of its terroir and heritage. Nestled within 28 municipalities in Loir-et-Cher, this esteemed vineyard draws sustenance from a diverse tapestry of chalk, clay, flint, and limestone soils, while basking in the temperate embrace of a climate shaped by the ebb and flow of oceanic influences.
Côteaux du Vendômois Red: Crafted from a blend of Pineau d’Aunis, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc, this deep red wine, tinged with violet hues, entices the senses with its alluring bouquet of black fruits, accented by subtle notes of red fruits, pepper, and delicate floral undertones. Rich in tannins, this wine reveals its best qualities when enjoyed within two years of production, ideally paired with regional charcuterie and served at a cool 14°C.
Côteaux du Vendômois White: A symphony of Pineau de la Loire, with a touch of Chardonnay (up to 20% maximum), this white wine enchants with its lovely yellow hue, adorned with golden and occasionally green reflections. Delicate floral aromas intertwine with subtle fruit notes, underscored by a distinct mineral edge, creating a wine of elegance and finesse. Best enjoyed chilled at 10°C, this wine benefits from cellar aging, maturing gracefully over three years before reaching its full potential.
Côteaux du Vendômois Gris (Grey): Exclusively crafted from Pineau d’Aunis, the Côteaux du Vendômois Gris stands as a testament to the vineyard’s commitment to innovation and originality. Its distinctive grey color, tinged with golden-brown hues, is achieved through reduced maceration of the grapes, resulting in a wine that is at once round, fruity, and subtly peppery. Best savored in its youth, this unique expression of the vineyard’s terroir is ideally served at 11°C, inviting enthusiasts to embark on a journey of discovery with each sip.
Crémant de la Loire – Touraine Vineyard
The Crémant de Loire, crafted in the enchanting regions of Touraine and Anjou-Saumur, stands as a sparkling jewel in the crown of French winemaking, offering a delightful alternative to Champagne with its effervescent charm.
Crémant Blanc: Crafted from a harmonious blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay grapes, the Crémant Blanc exudes elegance with its light yellow hue, kissed by subtle green highlights. Delicate bubbles dance gracefully in the glass, giving rise to a dense foam that delights the senses. This refined wine, with its fine effervescence, is a perfect companion for seafood or as an aperitif, best served chilled at 8°C. While it reveals its best qualities in its youth, it possesses the potential to age gracefully for up to three years, promising a journey of discovery with each sip.
Crémant Rosé: A symphony of Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, and Grolleau grapes, the Crémant Rosé casts a beguiling spell with its enchanting salmon hue, reminiscent of a radiant sunset. Its creamy foam, as its name suggests, caresses the palate, while aromas of red berries and luscious fruits tantalize the senses. This indulgent dessert wine, meant to be savored in its youthful exuberance, beckons with its refreshing allure, best served chilled at 8°C. A testament to the artistry of winemaking, the Crémant Rosé invites enthusiasts to revel in its splendor, offering a moment of pure bliss with every sip.
Haut Poitou – Touraine Vineyard
The Haut Poitou vineyard, spanning across the picturesque landscapes of Vienne and Deux-Sèvres, is a hidden gem nestled within the historic province of Poitou. Despite its southern location, it proudly stands as part of the esteemed Loire Valley wine region, boasting a rich tapestry of terroirs and varietals.
Haut Poitou Red: Crafted from a harmonious blend of Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir grapes, the Haut Poitou red wine captivates with its radiant ruby hue, adorned with enticing purple undertones. Aromas of succulent red fruits, and occasionally, delicate spices, dance upon the senses, promising a palate-pleasing experience. This refreshing and light-bodied wine is best enjoyed in its youthful exuberance, offering a delightful accompaniment to lamb dishes. Serve it slightly chilled at 14°C to unlock its full potential.
Haut Poitou Rosé: Delightfully refreshing, the Haut Poitou rosé enchants with its enchanting light pink hue, reminiscent of a blush-tinted sunset. With delicate aromas of red berries, it offers a tantalizing prelude to a memorable dining experience. Perfect for leisurely aperitifs, this charming wine beckons to be enjoyed at a cool 8°C, inviting enthusiasts to savor its crisp, invigorating flavors.
Haut Poitou White: A testament to elegance and freshness, the Haut Poitou white wine is a harmonious blend of Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc grapes. With its pale yellow hue adorned with greenish hues, it exudes a sense of refinement and sophistication. Aromas of citrus and delicate flowers tantalize the senses, promising a delightful sensory journey. Best served chilled at 8°C, this enchanting wine pairs beautifully with seafood delicacies, particularly oysters, as well as the region’s renowned goat cheeses. However, this delightful wine does not age well.
Jasnières – Touraine Vineyard
The Jasnières vineyard exclusively produces white wines. This esteemed and compact 65-hectare vineyard is situated across two municipalities in Sarthe, overlapping with the Côteaux du Loir. These two AOCs represent the northernmost vineyards in the Loire Valley wine region.
Planted by the monks of the Abbey of Marmoutier during the Middle Ages on south and southeast facing slopes, the vines benefit from a temperate climate with variable oceanic influences. Drawing nutrients from the chalk, limestone, clay, and flint soil, these distinctive white wines are crafted from Chenin Blanc.
They offer a refreshing, fruity profile with a mineral undertone, displaying a pale yellow color with golden highlights. Exceptional vintages can gracefully mature for up to 15 years. Jasnières pairs exquisitely with shellfish, fish, white meat, and the region’s goat cheese. Occasionally, the vineyard yields a sweet white or moelleux during exceptional years.
Montlouis-sur-Loire – Touraine Vineyard
Montlouis-sur-Loire is renowned for its delicate dry, sweet, sparkling, and fizzy whites crafted from Chenin Blanc. This 370-hectare vineyard, situated opposite Vouvray, spans two municipalities in Indre-et-Loire. The vines thrive in chalk, limestone, clay, and flint soils, benefiting from a temperate climate with varying oceanic influences. Montlouis wines exhibit a charming light yellow hue with golden tints. These exceptional dry whites pair beautifully with fish and goat cheese, maintaining their quality for 3 to 5 years.
Montlouis moelleux (sweet), with its subtly pronounced yellow color, offers a harmonious balance of acidity and sugar, boasting delightful fruity aromas. The finest vintages can age gracefully for up to 15 years, making it an ideal dessert wine, especially with foie gras.
Montlouis mousseux (sparkling) presents excellent sparkling qualities with fine bubbles, providing a delightful alternative to pricey Champagne.
Montlouis pétillant, a fizzy offering, delights with its finer effervescence. These wines are best served at 10°C.
Rosé de Loire – Touraine Vineyard
Rosé de Loire originates from the Touraine and Anjou-Saumur regions, offering a light yet pleasantly dry experience. Crafted from Cabernet, Grolleau, Pineau d’Aunis, Gamay, and Côt grapes, this wine boasts a delicate pale pink hue, occasionally tinged with grey. Fresh, rounded, and fruity, it is best enjoyed in its youth. Serving it at 8°C alongside charcuterie and salads enhances its delightful character.
Vouvray – Touraine Vineyard
Vouvray, a celebrated Loire wine, earned its AOC status in 1936. Spanning 200 hectares across 7 municipalities near the village of Vouvray in Indre-et-Loir, west of Tours in Indre-et-Loir, its vineyards are steeped in history, possibly dating back to the 4th century when legend has it that St. Martin planted them. Developed by monks from the Abbey of Marmoutier, these vines thrive on slopes and plateaus, drawing nutrients from diverse soils including chalk, gravel, flint, clay, and limestone.
Vouvray’s Pineau de la Loire grapes yield a versatile range of dry, sweet, sparkling, and fizzy whites, shaped by the climate during maturation. Hot summers can prompt the growth of Noble Rot, enhancing sugar levels for sweet wines. Cooler seasons result in dry, sparkling (mousseux), fizzy (pétillant), or semi-fizzy varieties.
The Vouvray sec offers a refreshing dry white with a straw hue, green tints, and citrusy notes. Best served at 10°C, it pairs well with charcuterie.
TheVouvray moelleux (sweet) exhibits a straw color with golden hints, boasting a harmonious balance of alcohol, sugar, and acidity. With ripe fruit aromas, it’s ideal at 11°C, complementing foie gras and desserts. Exceptional vintages can age for up to 50 years.
The Vouvray mousseux features a deep yellow hue, fine bubbles, and mineral-fruity aromas, making it an excellent aperitif served at 10°C.
The Vouvray pétillant, with smaller bubbles than mousseux, shares its aromatic charm and is served at the same temperature. Thanks to Pineau de la Loire’s natural acidity, Vouvray wines boast superb aging potential.
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: Vineyard map by DalGobboM CC BY-SA 4.0 – Wine cellar and Header by titou.net CC BY-SA 2.0 – Tasting Chinon red by Le Vin Parfait CC BY 2.0
