The Loire and its vineyards
The Loire is the third largest AOC of France. It has 69 appellations on 75,000 hectares. The Loire is ranked in first position as a producer of white wine.
The region is also known for its exceptional heritage, and part of that heritage is listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
There are over 1000 kilometers of vineyards stretching along the Loire, south of Brittany and the Massif Central, Auvergne.
It consists of four main wine regions:
The Pays Nantais:
The Pays Nantais is located near the mouth of the river, which includes the departments of Loire Atlantique (44) and Maine et Loire (49);
Anjou / Saumur:
Anjou / Saumur is the heart of the Loire Valley, the department of Maine et Loire, (49);
Touraine:
Touraine also called the garden of France covers the departments Indre et Loire (37), Loir et Cher (41);
Centre:
The Centre is located at the end of the Loire Valley and includes the departments of Loiret (45) Nièvre (58) Yonne (89).
The vineyards of the Loire Valley
Vineyard Map Loire
The Loire history
The vineyards of the Loire Valley have profoundly marked the history of wine in France.
The Loire: From Antiquity to the Middle Ages
The vineyard was planted by the Romans more than 2000 years ago.References can be found referring to vines grown on the banks of the Loire, in the writings of Pliny the Elder!
The wine of the Loire has been developed and popularized by religion
* The Benedictine and Augustine monks developed the planting of vines.
* Saint Martin and his disciples in the sixth century, spoke of Loire wine thanks to numerous communication routes crossing the region in the Pays Nantais, and also thanks to the Loire River. It was at this time that the vineyards of the Loire Valley were officially established.
The reputation of Loire wines increased dramatically in the Middle Ages. More specifically, the renowned wines of Saint Pourçain, at the initiative of the Abbot of Cluny in the tenth century, but also wine at Angers, Sancerre and Orleans.
The Dukes of Brittany, and especially the Duke Francis II, implanted some varietals such as Pinot Berligou or Black and helped to develop the vineyard already recognized in France.
The prestige of the wines of the Loire Valley increased on the throne of England Henry II, Count of Anjou. The sovereign was providing the Court with the wines of Anjou and the region. This habit became tradition with the later kings, and that, for hundreds of years! This wine is not only popular with royalty but also intellectuals: Rabelais and Voltaire sang his praises.
The Loire: The Renaissance
In 1135, the ban called’droit de banvin"which limited the commerce of wine only to lords was lifted. Bourgeois vineyards multiplied and the number of exports to Flanders and northern Europe exploded with nearly 10,000 tons passing through the port of Nantes, more than the amount sent through the port of La Rochelle and Bordeaux together! The wine experienced tremendous growth, with particularly high demand from Holland and other European countries.
In 1557, the Parliament of Paris published a ruling that required merchants to purchase wine at 80 km from the capital. The vineyard regions of Orleans, Blois, Cher Valley and Sologne then developed rapidly, becoming a wine-growing mass.
The Loire: Modern Day
Many vines were ravaged in 1709 by a particularly harsh winter. The variety "Melon", more resistant to cold, was then introduced and cultivated in the vineyard.
In bad weather successive political conflicts: the vineyards of Anjou and Nantes served battlefield during the Vendée wars of the French Revolution and were partially destroyed.
After climate and then humans, it was then turn of insects to threaten the vineyard of the Loire Valley! The latter was particularly hard hit by the crisis of phylloxera, the insect that came from the United States, which decimated many vineyards across France in the late nineteenth century.
The Loire: The Contemporary Period
After the painful damage caused by the Phylloxera, the Loire Valley winemakers decided to concentrate their efforts on the quality of their production. By 1936, several vineyards, including Sancerre, Muscadet, Cabernet d'Anjou and Vouvray are recognized as Denomination of Controlled Origin (AOC). In the last 70 years, the vineyards of the Loire Valley have 69 appellations, the latest being Orléans and Orléans-Clery, recognized in 2006.
In 2000, the Val de Loire (Sully-sur-Loire Chalonnes-sur-Loire) received a world heritage ranking by UNESCO. The vineyard now proudly boasts historical and cultural heritage of it’s wine not only at a national level but also internationally.
The key figures of the Loire
*Number 1 producer of white wine in France
* First area designations for sparkling wines (excluding Champagne)
* 3rd vineyard appellation in France
* 69 Appellations of Origin
* 7000 wineries
* 100 trading companies (15 companies generate 70% of sales)
* 24 cooperatives
* 13 bottles sold every second in the world
* 73 million bottles exported, representing one fifth of production, including 33% in the United Kingdom and 20% in Belgium
Data on the production of wines of the Loire
(Source: official website of Loire wines)
* 70,000 hectares including 52,000 in Quality Wines over 14 departments.
* 1,437,000 hectoliters of annual average production.
Red wines of Loire AOC
Average yield: 592,000 hl, representing 40.8% of the total harvest
Rose wines from the Loire AOC
Average yield: 373,000 hl or 25.7% of the total harvest
White wines from the Loire AOC
Average yield: 284 000 hl or 19.6% of the total harvest
Sparkling wines of Loire AOC
Average yield: 200 000 hl or 13.9% of the total harvest
Loire: climate and soil type
Climate and microclimate of the Loire:
This large region is characterized by a variety of climates and microclimates. They differ according to altitude and orientation of the hills and under the influence of the prevailing wind, the wind north-east. The Loire and its many tributaries play a moderating role. These differences in climate are very conducive to the cultivation of grapes and the wine created is diverse and of a high quality.
The Loire Valley is divided into four main climate regions:
- Pays Nantais
Oceanic climate. The differences in temperature and water quantity can vary greatly in winter and summer, one year to the next and vintages show it. However, in view of average temperatures, the climate is humid and mild.
- Anjou
Ocean Climate: mild winters, warm summers and sunny early spring often. The falls are very moist, which promotes the development of noble rot. The temperature fluctuations are on average quite low.
One region stands out however: Saumur. The hills slowing westerly winds, the climate is semi-oceanic and seasonal variations are more pronounced.
- Touraine
As with Anjou, the temperature differences are diminished by the influence of ocean climate in the west and the continental climate in the east. This region usually eludes harsh winters or hot summers. Many microclimates are also present, conditions are most conducive to the cultivation of the vine.
- Centre
The climate in this region is much harder because there is almost no influence of the ocean. The winters are colder and consequently hotter summers. There is also risks of frost in the spring, including Pouilly.
Loire nature of soils
The soil of the Loire Valley is divided into four different zones, each corresponding to a different kind of soil:
- Pays Nantais:
Schists, siliceous gravel, mica and gneiss
- Anjou
limestone, chalk tuffeau, siliceous gravel, shale and marl
- Touraine
Clay and limestone, siliceous gravel, sand
- Center:
Siliceous, limestone, clay and limestone
Loire winemaking
The different grape varieties:
5 varieties account for only 79% of 63 000 hectares of vineyards of the Loire Valley. This is the cabernet franc (15 000 ha or 45%) and Gamay Noir (5,300 ha or 16%) for red and rosé wines; Melon de Bourgogne (13,000 ha or 44%) of Chenin ( 9,000 ha or 30%) and Sauvignon (7000 ha or 24%) for whites.
The white varietals:
- The Muscadet: also known as Melon de Bourgogne in the Beaujolais. It is the sole grape of Muscadet AOC. With this old vine, this name i is now the most popular wine from France.
- Chenin: Also known as Pineau de la Loire Anjou plant.
- The sauvignon: Sauterne or white smoke (in the department of Nièvre) Ahumat (in Beam), and Fié (in Poitou). Grown in the vineyards of central and Touraine, this variety is very fragile: it is sensitive to soil and climate.
- The Folle blanche: also called Gros Plant (Pays Nantais or Vendee) or Piquepoul (Gers). This grape is original Charentais.
- Chardonnay: from Burgundy, this variety is known by various names: the Auvernat (in the Loire), Beaune (in Yonne), Deal (Saône et Loire), Chaudenay (Touraine), Melon d'Arbois , Gamay Blanc (the Jura), Petite Sainte Marie (Savoie).
- The Romorantin (single variety in Cour-Cheverny)
- Malmsey (at Bourboulenc)
The red varietals:
- Cabernet Franc:
This grape is a native of Nantes, where his nickname the Breton. Also known as Bouchet in Gironde, close Bouchet, Bouchy in Madiran and Tursan, acheria in the Pyrenees, black disk in the Orleans area.
- Gamay:
native of east-central France, it is particularly common in Touraine. It constitutes the bulk of the vines and hills of Giennois Châteaumeillant. This variety requires special care and "green harvest", ie a part of its grapes are harvested in July.
- Pinot Noir:
A native of Burgundy. Also called plant end Pinot end Noirien in Jura and Burgundy, in auvernat Orleans area, noble Touraine Maurillon or duck, in Auvergne Burgundy '. Red is the dominant grape of the center.
- Cabernet Sauvignon:
Grapes typical Medoc and Graves, it is also called small bouchet in Saint Emilion and Pomerol in Gironde, Lafite, or small Vidure Vidure.
- The grolleau:
Born in Touraine, it is also called Groslot, Gamay de Chatillon in Savennières (Maine et Loire), of Saumur Pineau.
- Pineau d'Aunis or black road:
Grown for its large yields, this variety has been gradually replaced by Cabernet Franc.
- The cot:
Also known as Malbec, Auxerre in the south-west, Pressac in Gironde. It is a native of Quercy and Cahors vineyards. grape is mainly grown in the valley of the Cher.
- Pinot Gris
The appellations of the Loire
Regional Appellations:
Cremant de Loire AOC.
Sparkling wine.
It is situated on protected designations of Anjou, Saumur and Touraine and occupies a total area of 1200 hectares.
Rosé de Loire AOC.
Rosé.
Located on the production areas of Anjou and Touraine, it represents an area of 1000 hectares
The Pays Nantais:
The vineyards are situated on the banks of the Loire and lie far in the Loire Atlantique, Vendée and Maine et Loire.
Area: 13,000 ha for all designations Muscadet.
Vineyard in Nantes are the only vineyard in Brittany.
A. O. C. Muscadet
A. O. C. Muscadet sur lie
A. O. C. Muscadet Future
Area of operation: 1000 hectares.
A. O. C. Muscadet Sevre et Maine
A. O. C. Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur lie
Operating Area: 8500 hectares.
A. O. C. Muscadet des Coteaux de la Loire
A. O. C. Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire binding
Operating Area: 500 hectares.
A. O. C. Muscadet Cotes de Grand-lieu
A. O. C. Muscadet sur lie Côtes de Grand-lieu
Operating Area: 3000 hectares.
Wines of Superior Quality:
V.D.Q.S Le Gros Plant Pays Nantais
V.D.Q.S Le Gros Plant Pays Nantais lees
Operating Area: 2800 hectares.
Les Coteaux V.D.Q.S Ancenis Cabernet Rosé
Les Coteaux V.D.Q.S Ancenis Cabernet Red
Les Coteaux V.D.Q.S Ancenis Gamay rosé
Les Coteaux V.D.Q.S Ancenis Gamay red
VDQS Les Coteaux Ancenis malvasia / Pinot Gris
VDQS Les Coteaux Ancenis Pineau de la Loire / Chenin Blanc
Operating Area: 245 hectares.
V.D.Q.S Fiefs Vendeans Brem White
V.D.Q.S Fiefs Brem Vendée pink
V.D.Q.S Fiefs Vendeans Brem red
V.D.Q.S Fiefs Vendeans Mareuil White
V.D.Q.S Fiefs Vendeans Mareuil pink
V.D.Q.S Fiefs Vendeans red Mareuil
V.D.Q.S Fiefs Vendeans Pissotte White
V.D.Q.S Fiefs Vendeans Pissotte pink
V.D.Q.S Fiefs Vendeans Pissotte red
V.D.Q.S Fiefs Vendeans Vix White
V.D.Q.S Fiefs Vendeans Vix Pink
V.D.Q.S Fiefs Vendeans Vix red.
Vineyards of Anjou and Saumur
This wine region extends over 140 sq. km, an area of approximately 20,000 hectares.
The production is 788,000 hectoliters in AOC and 30,000 hectoliters of wine appellation of origin quality (AOVDQS).
Distribution in color gives 35% of rose wine, 31% of red wine, 18% of wine and 16% of sparkling wine.
The white wines and red wines of Anjou and Saumur
AOC Anjou Blanc
Operating Area: 1124 hectares.
AOC Anjou Rouge
Operating Area: 3000 hectares.
AOC Anjou Coteaux de la Loire
Operating Area: 40 hectares.
AOC Anjou Gamay
AOC Anjou Gamay Preview
Operating Area: 350 hectares.
AOC Anjou Villages
Operating Area: 300 hectares.
AOC Anjou Villages Brissac
Operating Area: 103 hectares.
AOC Saumur Blanc
Operating Area: 473 hectares.
AOC Saumur Champigny
Area of operation: 1333 hectares.
The rosé wines of Anjou and Saumur
AOC Rosé de Loire
Operating Area: 805 hectares.
AOC Rosé d'Anjou
AOC Rosé d'Anjou Future
Operating Area: 1124 hectares in white wines and 1907 hectares in red wines.
AOC Cabernet d'Anjou
AOC Cabernet d'Anjou Future
Operating Area: 2554 hectares.
Cabernet de Saumur AOC
Cabernet de Saumur AOC Future
Operating Area: 80 hectares.
AOC Savennières
AOC Savennières Coulee de Serrant
AOC Savennières Roche-aux-Moines
Total working area for Savennières: 115 hectares
The sparkling white wines of Anjou and Saumur
The "traditional method" for creating sparkling wine was developed in the early nineteenth century by the Saumur.
AOC Crémant de Loire white
AOC Crémant de Loire Rosé
Operating Area: 300 hectares.
AOC Anjou Sparkling White
AOC Anjou Rosé Sparkling
Operating Area: 70 hectares.
AOC Saumur Sparkling white (or Saumur Brut)
AOC Saumur Sparkling Rosé
Operating Area: 1419 hectares.
The sweet white wines
AOC Bonnezeaux
Operating Area: 97 acres
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon Selection de Grains Nobles
Operating Area: 1286 hectares
Coteaux du Layon Beaulieu-sur-Layon
Coteaux du Layon Beaulieu-sur-Layon Selection de Grains Nobles
Coteaux du Layon-Faye d'Anjou
Coteaux du Layon-Faye d'Anjou Selection de Grains Nobles
Coteaux du Layon Rablay-sur-Layon
Coteaux du Layon Rablay-sur-Layon Selection de Grains Nobles
Coteaux du Layon Rochefort-sur-Loire
Coteaux du Layon Rochefort-sur-Loire Selection de Grains Nobles
Coteaux du Layon Saint-Aubin-De-Luigné
Coteaux du Layon Saint-Aubin-De-Luigné Selection de Grains Nobles, Coteaux du Layon Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay
Coteaux du Layon Saint-Lambert-du-Lattay Selection de Grains Nobles.
Operating Area: 355 hectares.
AOC Quarts de Chaume
Operating Area: 45 acres
Coteaux de l'Aubance
Coteaux de l'Aubance Selection de Grains Nobles
Operating Area: 125 hectares
AOC Coteaux de Saumur
Operating Area: 12 hectares
AOC Savennières Coulee de Serrant Soft
AOC Savennières Soft
AOC Savennières Roche-aux-Moines Soft
Total working area for Savennières: 115 hectares
Wines of Touraine
The Touraine appellation covers just over 5280 hectares, Sologne limits of Vienna and includes five departments: Indre et Loire (37), Loir et Cher (41) Centre: Loiret (45), Nièvre ( 58), Yonne (89)
AOC Bourgueil Rose
AOC Bourgueil Red
Operating Area: 1200 hectares.
AOC Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil Rosé
AOC Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil red
Operating Area: 850 hectares
Coteaux du Loir White
Coteaux du Loir pink
Coteaux du Loir red
Operating Area: 50 acres
AOC Jasnières
Operating Area: 40 acres
AOC Cheverny White
AOC Cheverny red
AOC Cheverny Rosé
AOC Cheverny Court
AOC Touraine White
AOC Touraine Rouge
AOC Touraine Rosé
AOC Touraine Primeur Red
AOC Touraine Primeur Rose
AOC Touraine Sparkling White
AOC Touraine Sparkling Red
AOC Touraine Sparkling Rosé
Operating Area: 135 hectares
AOC Touraine Amboise Blanc
AOC Touraine Amboise Red
AOC Touraine Amboise Rose
Operating Area: 200 hectares
AOC Touraine Azay-le Rideau Blanc
AOC Touraine Azay Le Rideau Rose
Operating Area: 50 acres
AOC Touraine Blanc Mesland
AOC Touraine Mesland Rouger
AOC Touraine Rose Mesland
Operating Area: 135 hectares
AOC Touraine Noble Performed
AOC Touraine Sparkling White
AOC Touraine Sparkling Red
AOC Touraine Sparkling Rosé
Chinon AOC White
Chinon AOC Red
AOC Chinon Rose
Operating Area: 2,000 hectares
AOC Vouvray
Operating Area: 2,000 hectares
Sparkling Vouvray AOC
Operating Area: 750 hectares
Sparkling Vouvray AOC
AOC Montlouis-sur-Loire
Operating Area: 300 hectares
AOC Montlouis-sur-Loire Sparkling
AOC Montlouis-sur-Loire Sparkling
Operating Area: 150 hectares
AOC Valençay White
Valençay AOC Rosé
Valençay AOC Red
Coteaux du Vendomois White
Coteaux du Vendomois Grey
Coteaux du Vendome Red
Operating Area: 245 hectares
Wines of the Loire Centre
The vineyards of the Centre in the heart of the Loire department covers three: the Cher, Indre and Nièvre.
AOC Sancerre Blanc
Red Sancerre AOC
AOC Sancerre Rose
Operating Area: 2,300 hectares
AOC Pouilly smoked
Operating Area: 1089 hectares
AOC Pouilly-sur-Loire
Operating Area: 38 hectares
AOC Menetou Salon Blanc
AOC Menetou-Salon Rouge
Menetou-Salon AOC Rosé
AOC Menetou Salon Aubinges White
AOC Menetou Salon Aubinges red
AOC Menetou Salon Aubinges pink
AOC Menetou Salon Humbligny White
AOC Menetou Salon Humbligny red
AOC Menetou Salon Humbligny pink
AOC Menetou Menetou Red Room Lounge
AOC Menetou-Salon-Salon Rosé Menetou
AOC Menetou-Salon-Salon Menetou White
AOC Menetou Salon Morogues White
AOC Menetou Salon Morogues red
AOC Menetou Salon Morogues pink
AOC Menetou Salon Parassy White
AOC Menetou Salon Parassy red
AOC Menetou Salon Parassy pink
AOC Menetou Salon Pigny White
AOC Menetou Salon Pigny red
AOC Menetou Salon Pigny pink
AOC Menetou Salon Quantilly White
AOC Menetou Salon Quantilly red
Menetou-Salon AOC Quantilly pink
Menetou-Salon AOC Saint-Ceol White
Menetou-Salon AOC Saint-red Ceol
Menetou-Salon AOC Saint-pink Ceol
AOC Menetou Salon Soulangis White
AOC Menetou Salon Soulangis White
AOC Menetou Salon Soulangis red
AOC Menetou Salon Soulangis pink
AOC Menetou Salon Vignoux-sous-les-Aix White
AOC Menetou Salon Vignoux-sous-les-Aix red
AOC Menetou Salon Vignoux-sous-les-Aix Rosé
Operating Area: 370 hectares
AOC Reuilly White
AOC red Reuilly
Reuilly AOC Rosé
Operating Area: 163 acres (84 ha in white and 79 red and pink)
AOC Quincy
Operating Area: 183 hectares
Côtes Roannaise
Operating Area: 105 hectares
AOC Coteaux du Giennois White
AOC Coteaux du Giennois red
AOC Coteaux du Giennois pink
Operating Area: 183 hectares
AOVDQS white Côtes d'Auvergne
AOVDQS red Côtes d'Auvergne
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS pink
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Boudes White
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Boudes red
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Boudes pink
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Chanturgue White
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Chanturgue red
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Chanturgue pink
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Chateaugay White
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Chateaugay red
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Chateaugay pink
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Corent White
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Corent red
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Corent pink
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Madargues White
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Madargues red
Côtes d'Auvergne AOVDQS Madargues pink
Operating Area: 360 hectares
AOVDQS St. Pourçain White
AOVDQS St. Pourçain red
AOVDQS St. Pourçain pink
Operating Area: 524 hectares
AOVDQS Chateaumeillant pink
AOVDQS Chateaumeillant red
Operating Area: 96 hectares.
Country Wines and Spirits
The Loire Valley produces excellent Vins de Pays, mainly under the name Wine Garden of France, which proposes inter alia, superb varietal wines.
The Waters of Life Val de Loire
The region also produces four spirits entitled to the appellation:
Brandy cider Maine
Brandy pear Maine
Brandy wine originating in the hills of the Loire, and
Marc brandy originating in the hills of the Loire.
Events of the Loire:
Many events are held around the wine throughout the year. Fairs, festivals, wine tastings, fairs, festivals and of course, in September, the famous wine festivals ... Here are a few:
The feast of wines of Anjou
Location: Chalone-sur-Loire
Date: 27 and 28 February
During two days, sixty winemakers show you the Anjou wine products. The program includes tasting wines of Anjou, commercial and craft exhibitions, a parade of wine brotherhoods with inductions and election of Miss Anjou. Check out: AOC Anjou - Saumur
Agenda and location
Location: Thouars
Date: March 26 to 28, 2010
Twenty growers welcome the curious and impassioned in the Orangerie of the Chateau de Thouars for them to showcase their latest wines and wines winning the contest for best vintage 2009.
Salon des Vignerons de Bourgueil
Location: Tours
Date: March 27, 2010
40 winemakers come to the meeting of Touraine to help them discover the last two digits of the AOC Bourgueil and their profession. Specialists of food are also there, as well as members of the vinous brotherhood - Dive bottle.
Foire aux vins d'Amboise
3 to 5 April 2010
Location: Amboise
In the cellars of the magnificent Chateau of Amboise, twenty producers introduce participants to their latest vintages and wines of appellation Touraine Amboise.
Festival Rablay-sur-Layon
Place: Rabblay-sur-Layon
22 and May 23, 2010
This festival has existed since 1994 and aims to mix and match different backgrounds: music, dance or theater. The Rably winemakers attend the event so the curious can taste their latest wines.