The Wines

The natural environment with a soft chalk plateau and a hilly relief offers the wine producers of this appellation the possibility to ensure the ideal conditions of expression for each of the grape varieties recognised. The rosé wines are fruity and fresh. The red wines, which have a good tannic structure, have a quite intense aromatic bouquet revealing mainly notes of red fruits. The white wines are usually dry, but can sometimes include fermentable sugars and be qualified as “medium dry”, “semi-sweet” or “sweet”.

The ageing (an essential stage in the production of the final product) of red wines softens their tannic structure. For the white wines, this ageing strengthens their aromatic complexity.

This appellation extends across the hills of both banks of the Cher. The grape varieties are located on plots with soil that has a significant presence of flint. The white wines usually have an intense aromatic bouquet, revealing floral aromas (hawthorn, acacia etc.) and more fruity notes (citrus fruit, dry fruit etc.). The red wines have a good tannic structure, and an intense aromatic bouquet, revealing mainly notes of red fruits and complex aromas.

Further information is available at : www.vintourainechenonceaux.fr/

Located to the north east of the geographical area of the “Touraine” appellation, Touraine-Mesland is a plateau margin region overlooking the Loire. Here, the soils are composed of flint and sand. The red and rosé wines, mainly produced from the gamay grape variety, express concentrated aromas of red berries. The white wines, which may sometimes include fermentable sugars, have an aromatic and complex bouquet revealing floral aromas (hawthorn, lime blossom, verbena etc.) and more fruity notes (citrus fruits, pear etc.). The taste often finishes with a sensation of freshness.

Further information is available at : www.vin-touraine-mesland.fr

In the heart of the Sologne wine-producing area, these vineyards produce dry white wines made entirely from Sauvignon grapes. The latter unlock their full potential on the continental sand and gravel soils and the typical Sologne formations, made up of sand, clay and shell marl. Climatic data for the geographical area show that it has the most accentuated sub-dry season in the Touraine region. This natural environment provides wines with a freshness characterised by fine and delicate aromas with notes of citrus and white flowers. Ageing (an essential stage in the production of the final product), until at least 30 April of the year following the vintage, serves to lend them complexity.

The Cour-Cheverny AOC produces solely white wines made entirely from the romorantin grape variety. The geographical area of this appellation, planted in sandy to gravelly-sandy soils is located on the left bank of the Loire and extends between the river banks of the royal river, to the north, and the municipalities of Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny, to the south.

These white wines are full of vivacity in their youth. On the nose they traditionally express the aromas of yellow flesh fruit or white flowers. Subtle notes of rhubarb, spices or menthol can sometimes be detected. Their originality is expressed fully over time, and a few years of ageing often reveals aromas of honey, lemon, wax or prune, as well as sweet notes of oxidation, characteristic of the romorantin grape variety.

White, rosé or red, the wines of this appellation are a tribute to the Sologne region and through its name Cheverny castle.

The wines of Cheverny are known for always being made from blends of several grape varieties. For the white wines: sauvignon, grey sauvignon, chardonnay and for the red wines: pinot noir, gamay.

On tasting, the white wines can be distinguished by notes of citrus fruits, exotic fruits or white flowers. The rosé wines are balanced in the mouth and offer an interesting aromatic range of aromas dominated by notes of red fruit and spices. The red wines have notes of red and black fruit and sometimes have a spicy note. Their tannic and delicate structures make them subtle wines, which can be aged for a few years.

The Loire rosés are aromatic and refreshing wines with a dry character and without sweetness. They can be served throughout the meal and are made from different grape varieties: cabernet franc, cabernet-sauvignon, gamay, grolleau, grey grolleau, pineau d’Aunis and pinot noir.

An appellation reserved for sparkling and rosé wines, it extends across several departments (Deux-Sèvres, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Maine-et-Loire and Vienne). Its geographical area borders the Loire and its tributaries for over 200 kilometres and extends over 255 municipalities.

The white wines are made from chardonnay grape varieties, chenin and orbois, the reds are made from cabernet franc, grolleau, grey grolleau, cabernet-sauvignon, pineau d’Aunis, pinot noir.

“Crémant de Loire” is a sparkling wine that has a regular effervescence with strings of fine, delicate and long-lasting bubbles. The nose often reveals aromas of white flowers combined with fruity notes such as peach or apricot. In the mouth, it is fine and harmonious and offers the palate a sensation of freshness and softness. All of these sensory properties only add to the reputation of this appellation.

The appellation, which extends across the departments of Indre-et-Loire, Sarthe and Loir-et-Cher, comprises dry white, red and grey wines, with a production area that stretches along the Loire valley.

The white wines are made from a chenin grape variety and have scents of honey and lime blossom. The red and grey wines are made from the pineau d’Aunis grape variety. The red wines have aromas of spices combined with scents of red fruit. The grey wines are light and delicate and are dominated by peppery scents.